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David Ferrer jogged around the court as he yelled, fist pumping, a spring in his step and the scoreboard on his side as Chardy seemed to crumble from a leading position in the fifth set. Ferrer had lead early in the match taking a two sets to love lead before Frenchman Chardy found a way into the match. As Chardy powered away to a 5-3 lead in the fifth set it looked like David was set to become another Spaniard to fall early, after Verdasco, Robredo, Garcia-Lopez, Ferrero and Almagro, all big names in Spain, fell in the first round.
David joins Rafa Nadal as the only Spaniards left in the draw who have any chance of doing well. Unfortunately, both David and Rafa have struggled and have had to produce some exceptional play against some big hitting players who have arrived at the tournament ‘hot’ and ready to challenge. Nadal was also dealt the additional blow of being bumped down in the seedings and therefore into a harder section of the draw.
Ferrer is notorious for his ability to play scrappy tennis and work his way into matches and he used every ounce of his ability to claw his way back into the fifth set and take the match. The depth of his shots was incredible, breaking Chardy and then holding serve to level at 5 all. Chardy almost seemed shell shocked as the Spaniard came roaring back into the match, aided by a few double faults from his opponent.
Chardy served his tenth double fault at match point to give Ferrer the match 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 7-5 and a spot in the fourth round where he will face the inform Robin Soderling who is yet to drop a set.
