Former world number 3 David Ferrer fought back from one set down to upset 2018 Nitto ATP Finals Alexander Zverev 2-6 7-5 6-3 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
David Ferrer, who reached the final in Miami in 2013, has scored his first win against a top 5 player since 2015, when he beat Kei Nishikori in the Acapulco final.
Ferrer has announced that he will end his glorious career next May at the Madrid Mutua Open. The Spaniard has won 27 ATP titles in his career and reached the quarter final in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Ferrer lost his last four head-to-head matches against Zverev, who won their previous clash in Acapulco in straight sets a few weeks ago.
Zverev drew the first blood breeaking serve at love in the fourth game after a double fault from Ferrer. The Spaniard broke straight back on his third break point chance in the fifth game. Zverev broke twice in the sixth and eighth games to clinch the first set 6-2.
Ferrer bounced back breaking in the first game of the second set and held on his service games to open up a 4-2 lead. Zverev broke straight back in the eighth game and held serve on the second deuce in the fifth game to come within a game of the win at 6-2 5-4, but Ferrer bounced back by winning three consecutive games with two breaks of serve to win the second set 7-5 sending the match to the third set.
Ferrer saved a break point chance in the fourth game before earning a crucial break at love in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Ferrer held his next two service games and sealed the win with a double break at 30.
“It means a lot. It’s a special day because it’s the last year of professional tennis for me. Winning these types against a top 10 player like Sasha is a gift. I am very happy and I am trying to enjoy every point and every moment”, said Ferrer.
Ferrer will face Frances Tiafoe in the third round in their first head-to-head match. The 22-year-old player battled past Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) after two hours and 4 minutes. Kecmanovic went up a double break to open up a 4-1 lead, but Tiafoe won four consecutive games with two breaks in a row to take a 5-4 lead. Kecmanovic saved two break points to hold his serve in the 10th game. Tiafoe came back from 2-4 to win the tie-break 8-6. Tiafoe got an early break at the start of the second set to take a 1-0 lead. Kecmanovic broke back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Kecmanovic saved five break points in the seventh and ninth games to hold his service games. Tiafoe took the 7-5 edge to take the second tie-break despite cramps in his left leg.
