Posts Tagged ‘2004’

from sportinglife.com
12 April 2004

Juan Carlos Ferrero is confident Spain can brush aside France and move into the Davis Cup final after the Iberians’ hard-fought victory over Holland in the quarter-finals.

Spain defeated the Dutch 4-1, thanks largely to Ferrero’s marathon five-set victory against Martin Verkerk in Sunday’s singles match, a result that gave the home side an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie and set them on the way to a 4-1 triumph.

“I am happy with being drawn against France, and it is always good to play at home,” said Ferrero.

“However, we are determined not become over-confident.”

Ferrero had to draw on all his inner resolve to overcome a determined Verkerk, who eventually succumbed under the strain of having completed a five-set doubles victory hours earlier.

Ferrero had to fight far harder than when the pair met in last year’s French Open final before finally emerging with a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-5 6-1 victory.

“He played well, there’s no denying that,” said Ferrero after his win.

“It was a very even match, and I didn’t expect him to fall apart physically.

“I fought for every ball and I felt good. I always thought I would be able to get back into the game, and I did it with the help of the crowd.”

Spain face France, the 2001 Davis Cup winners, in September, with the clay courts of Alicante favourite to stage the semi-final tie.