Australian Open: Nadal Exits, Ferrer Through (Video)

Ferrer beat injured fellow Nadal to reach SFs

World No 1 Rafa Nadal has been stunned by a stubborn-powerful compatriot David Ferrer in the Aussie quarter finals. The dream of hoisting his fourth straight grand trophy over the head has also been broken. Nadal packs as Roger Federer, the defending champion, is there for his fifth.

Winner of the Auckland tournament (the one that preceded the Australian Open), David Ferrer needed an injured Nadal plus two hours and 33 minutes to advance into the last four round. Seventh-seeded in Melbourne, Ferrer stole an early break to go 2-0 in the opener but only to be broken back in the third game. He led even 4-1 when Nadal asked again for medical assistance. His left thigh became, all of a sudden, fragile. His play was also losing pace.

The top ATP never gave up. His physical condition went from bad to worse as the game progressed. Ferrer managed to take advantage of the unpleasant situation and started to dominate the weak 2009 champion. Nadal succeeded to win four more games though, forcing the compatriot pay more attention. Ferrer claimed the opener to four.

The second set looked almost the same as the first one. Ferrer won a break point to take a 2-1 lead, but conceded the fourth one. Nadal would speak only through his talent. He conceded another break in the sixth game. Ferrer went 5-2 and broke the title favorite for 2-0.

As for the third set, it found the seventh favorite maintaining a three-game lead throughout the entire round. Ferrer went 3-0, 4-1 before kneeling the ill fellow. Nadal reached the quarter finals without dropping any set.

“It’s not easy because Rafa is a gentleman and he played with injury as we are friendly. I played aggressive, I tried to go to the net, but if Rafael was not injured, I wouldn’t have won in three sets,” said Ferrer, who is approaching one of his best moments in career. “It’s one big (achievement) for me but it’s not a victory really. These last two weeks have been unbelievable. I will try to do my best to win a slam,” he also admitted.

Ferrer is to play Andy Murray, who is also looking for his first major of career, in the last four term. The 23-year-old Scott upset Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3. Murray hit 33 winners, while Dolgopolov finished with 57 winners and… 77 unforced errors. “It was just difficult to get into a rhythm. I did quite a lot of running,” explained exhausted Murray.

David Ferrer leads the head-to-head confrontation with Murray. The Spaniard beat him three times in five meetings, last occasion in December 2010 when Ferrer smashed Murray 6-2, 6-2 at the London World Tour Finals.

On the other half of the table, Roger Federer is to meet third seed Novak Djokovic. The 29-year-old Swiss ousted compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets and is now nearing his fifth Melbourne trophy. On the other side, the Serbian beat Tomas Berdych 6-1, 7-6, 6-1 and is expected to face old-fellow Roger for the 20^th time. Federer grabbed 13 victories in 19 matches.