David Ferrer has been a stalwart of the ATP top 10 for many years now. He has always been consistent and when players are drawn in to play him early on in tournaments, they quiver.
Career overview
Ferrer has won 663 matches and 26 career titles, which is the fifth most among active players behind the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. The Spaniard even won seven titles in 2012, the most out of any player that year.
Although he has only claimed one Masters 1000 title and has not won a Grand Slam, his record is certainly one to be proud of and one that his opponents would love to have.
His run in Melbourne
His performance so far at the Australian Open has been nothing short of dominant and he has not dropped a set en route to the quarterfinals. His relentless game has been the undoing of anyone that has crossed his path.
The Spaniard defeated German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in the first round, it was not the most aesthetic victory for Ferrer but he would have been relieved to win his first match comfortably after poor results in his lead up tournaments in Doha and Auckland.
The former world number three would face the retiring Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. The Spaniard was relentless during the match, making the Australian work for every point. He would record a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory to end Hewitt’s career and continue his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.
Ferrer would face American Steve Johnson in the third round, and it was expected to be a close affair. The Spaniard had other ideas and produced a scintillating performance to defeat the 31st seed 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round in Melbourne for the sixth consecutive year.
The 33-year-old faced his toughest challenge yet in the fourth round, against the top ranked American and world number eleven John Isner. Ferrer is regarded as one of the best returners in the game and he would be tested against one of the best servers in Isner.
The Spaniard dismantled the American’s serve and negated his power to and recorded a 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 victory and move to his sixth quarterfinal at the Australian Open. He is the only man this year to reach the final eight without dropping a single set.
Can he win the title
The assignment does not get any easier for Ferrer, who faces world number two Andy Murray for a place in the final four. The Scot leads the Spaniard 12-6 head to head and has won their last five encounters.
If Ferrer is able to overcome Murray, it will be interesting to see what he will be able to achieve throughout the rest of the tournament. He has already made the final at Roland Garros back in 2013 and his current form shows that he has not lost his fitness and agility. Can he finally achieve his goal of winning a Grand Slam?