ARTICLE Defending champion Ferrero upset at Madrid Masters
By CIARAN GILES, Associated Press Writer
October 20, 2004
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero made 37 unforced errors and was upset by Luis Horna of Peru 6-3, 6-1 Wednesday in the second round of the Madrid Masters.
It was the most lopsided loss since April for the 2003 French Open champion, who had a first-round bye because he's seeded sixth. Horna broke Ferrero's serve in the first game of each set and never looked ruffled, even when he twisted an ankle early in the second set.
Several other seeded players bowed out Wednesday, including double Olympic gold medalist Nicolas Massu, who lost to Ferrero in last year's final. No. 11-seeded Jiri Novak, No. 13 Rainer Schuettler, and No. 15 Fernando Gonzalez also exited.
"I've had good victories. I just need to string them together in the same week to have a good tournament," Horna said. "I know Juan Carlos is not at his best, so I tried not to let him gain too much confidence. And everything worked out well."
The Madrid Masters marked Ferrero's last chance to defend a title in a season in which he has been inhibited by back, ribs, and wrist injuries. On Wednesday he blamed his new racket.
"I played badly and Luis played regular," he said. "I'm not at my level. Not playing many games hasn't helped. You lack confidence when you don't win many games It takes time to adapt to a new racket. You have to be better prepared."
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By CIARAN GILES, Associated Press Writer
October 20, 2004
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero made 37 unforced errors and was upset by Luis Horna of Peru 6-3, 6-1 Wednesday in the second round of the Madrid Masters.
It was the most lopsided loss since April for the 2003 French Open champion, who had a first-round bye because he's seeded sixth. Horna broke Ferrero's serve in the first game of each set and never looked ruffled, even when he twisted an ankle early in the second set.
Several other seeded players bowed out Wednesday, including double Olympic gold medalist Nicolas Massu, who lost to Ferrero in last year's final. No. 11-seeded Jiri Novak, No. 13 Rainer Schuettler, and No. 15 Fernando Gonzalez also exited.
"I've had good victories. I just need to string them together in the same week to have a good tournament," Horna said. "I know Juan Carlos is not at his best, so I tried not to let him gain too much confidence. And everything worked out well."
The Madrid Masters marked Ferrero's last chance to defend a title in a season in which he has been inhibited by back, ribs, and wrist injuries. On Wednesday he blamed his new racket.
"I played badly and Luis played regular," he said. "I'm not at my level. Not playing many games hasn't helped. You lack confidence when you don't win many games It takes time to adapt to a new racket. You have to be better prepared."
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