Thursday, June 26, 2003
Jiri Novak, the 11th seed, came through a tricky encounter
against Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
The 6ft 3in Czech towered over the young Spaniard and used
his greater experience on grass courts to race ahead 3-0
before Ferrer eventually settled into his service game.
Novak had more industry to his game, carving out opportunities
from both the baseline and at the net, while Ferrer stayed
at the back of the court and ensured the game was pleasing
to watch with superb rallies.
A break back from the Spaniard in the first set was well
deserved because of the effort he was putting into his
groundstrokes, particularly his deadly forehand. The
recovery was short lived, however.
Novak regained control, exploiting Ferrer's low percentage
of first serves and a tendency to struggle on low balls to
his backhand (something the claycourter is not accustomed to).
A cheap double fault gifted the Czech the first set 6-2.
Novak continued to serve with the precision that made him a
doubles finalist here two years ago, and yet he soon found
himself trailing 3-1 thanks to a stray backhand and a
spectacular Ferrer forehand winner.
However, Novak soon broke back, teaching the young Spaniard
the art of grass court tennis - an exciting blend of booming
baseline shots fused with soft hands at the net and a lot of
first serves.
The approaching tiebreak loomed as the key moment in the match.
It never came. Another poor double fault cost the Spaniard
the set 7-5.
Ferrer broke early in the third set, but again he quickly
surrendered that advantage. After 90 minutes, Novak was
serving for the match. A tricky smash from the baseline
sealed his place in the third round.
Written by Michael Burke-Velji
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