David Ferrer

Titles Won (7):

(2002) Bucharest, (2006) Stuttgart, (2007) Auckland, Bastad, Tokyo, (2008) Valencia, 's-Hertogenbosch

David Ferrer is a professional tennis player from Spain. The right-hander turned professional in 2000 and is coached by countryman Javier Piles. In August 2001, Ferrer captured his first Challenger title in Sopot, defeating Poland's Lukasz Kubot in the final. He finished the season reaching consecutive semi-finals in Futures events in his native Spain. He continued his rise up the rankings in 2002, posting a 10-6 record in ATP play and 35-13 in Challenger action. Between April and May he posted his best results of the season, winning two Challenger titles on clay at Napoli (d. Lisnard) and Valencia (d. Olguin) and advancing to semi-finals in Rome (l. Vassallo) and Turin (l. Verkerk). The Spaniard won his third Challenger title of the season in July at Saussuolo in Italy, defeating Argentine Mariano Puerta in the final 6-4, 6-1. In only his second ATP event, Ferrer reached the final at Umag where he lost to former world number one Carlos Moya in straight sets. In the previous rounds he had seen off David Nalbandian and clay court specialist Guillermo Coria. In August, Ferrer won his fourth Challenger title at Menrbio in Italy (d. Kutsenko) and just two weeks later won his first ATP title at Bucharest, defeating Jose Acausos in the final 6-3, 6-2. In 2003, Ferrer made his debut in all four Grand Slams as well as playing in six Masters Series events. He started the season by reaching the quarter final of the ATP event in Auckland (l. Hrbaty) and then went on to make an early first round exit on his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open (l. Lee). Ferrer then struggled for form winning just two matched until May when he reached the second round of the Masters Series in Rome (l. Ljubicic). At Roland Garros, the Spaniard won his first round match against Jurgen Melzer before falling to Wayne Ferreira. He also reached the same stage at Wimbledon (l. Novak). In July, Ferrer reached the quarter final at Umag (l. Moya) and his second career ATP Final at Sopot (l. Coria).

In 2004, the Spaniard started the season by losing in the second round of the Australian Open (l. Schalken). In February he reached his first ATP quarter final of the season at Buenos Aires (l. Acasuso). His best results of the season came in the European clay court season, reaching the quarter final at Valencia (l. Verdasco) and the quarter final of the Masters Series in Hamburg (l. Coria). At Roland Garros he lost defeated Olivier Rochus in the first round but fell to Frenchman Julien Benneteau in four sets. In July he reached his first semi-final of the season in Stuttgart, recording a memorable victory over a young Rafa Nadal in the quarter final before losing to Argentine Gaston Gaudio. In September, Ferrer reached the quarter final at Bucharest (l. Mayer) and then went on reach back-to-back semi-finals at Palermo (l. Berdych) and Lyon (l. Malisse). In 2005, Ferrer reached his first semi-final of the season at Vina del Mar in Chile, losing to clay court specialist Gaston Gaudio. In March he reached his first Masters Series semi-final in Miami, losing to countryman Rafa Nadal. In the earlier rounds he had defeated David Nalbandian and former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero. At his hometown event in Valencia, Ferrer reached his only final of the season, losing to Russia's Igor Andreev. In his next event he reached the quarter final of the Masters Series in Monte Carlos (l. Coria). The Spaniard reached his third Masters Series quarter final of the season in Rome, losing to world number 7 Rafa Nadal. Going into Roland Garros, Ferrer was an outside favourite and reached a career best quarter final (l. Nadal). In the second half of the season, Ferrer posted strong results, reaching three quarter finals and one semi-final, including Masters Series event in Madrid (l. Ginepri) and Paris (l. Roddick).

Ferrer finished the 2006 season in the Top 15 for the second consecutive year, highlighted by winning his second ATP title. He started the season in fine form, reaching the quarter final at Auckland (l. Rochus) and reaching a personal best fourth round at the Australian Open (l. Santoro). In March he reached the semi-final of the Masters Series in Miami, losing to world number one Roger Federer in straight sets. During the European clay court season, Ferrer made the quarter final at Masters Series events in Monte Carlo (l. Federer) and Hamburg (l. Robredo). At Roland Garros he made a disappointing third round exit to compatriot Ruben Hidalgo Ramirez and then went on to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon (l. Hewitt). In July, the Spaniard won his second career ATP title in Stuttgart, defeating Jose Acasuso in a five-set final. Ferrer advanced to the quarter final at the Masters Series in Cincinnati (l. Gonzalez). In 2007, Ferrer compiled his best season to date to finish in the Top 10 and as the country's number two player, behind Rafa Nadal. During the season he won a career-high three titles and advanced to his first Grand Slam semi-final. He started the season by winning the opening tournament at Auckland, defeating Tommy Robredo in the final 6-4, 6-2. He then advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open (l. Fish). Between April and May, Ferrer posted strong results on clay, starting by reaching the quarter final at the Masters Series event in Monte Carlo (l. Federer). He then went on to reach the semi-final at Barcelona, losing to eventual champion Rafa Nadal in straight sets. In Hamburg, Ferrer reached his second Masters Series quarter final of the season, losing once again to Federer. After a second round exit at Wimbledon, Ferrer won his second title of the season at Bastad (d. Almagro). The Spaniard showed his versatility in the North American hard court season when he reached the quarter final of the Masters in Cincinnati (l. Davydenko) and then reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open. In the earlier rounds he defeated world number two Rafa Nadal and David Nalbandian before falling to rising star Novak Djokovic. In his next tournament he won his third title of the season in Tokyo, defeating Richard Gasquet in straight sets. In the final month of the season, Ferrer reached the quarter final of the Masters Series in Paris (l. Nalbandian) and then reaching the final of the season ending Masters Cup, losing to Roger Federer. In the round robin matches he had seen off Djokovic, Nadal and Gasquet before defeating Roddick in the semi-final.

In 2008, Ferrer finished just outside of the Top 10 and as the country's number two (behind Nadal), highlighted by winning two ATP titles in three finals. He also helped his country to its first Davis Cup final in four years against Argentina. At the start of the season he failed to defend his title at Auckland, losin in the quarter final to Frenchman Julien Benneteau. He then went on to reach a career best quarter final at the Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Ferrer won his first title of the season in his hometown of Valencia. En route to the final he defeated four fellow countryman before defeating Nicolas Almagro who also originates from Spain in the final. In his next tournament he reached the quarter final of the Masters Series event in Monte Carlo, losing to eventual winner Rafa Nadal. He lost to the world number two in his next tournament at Barcelona in the final. In May, Ferrer reached his second Grand Slam quarter final of the season at Roland Garros, losing to Gael Monfils in four sets. He then went on to win his first grass court title at 's-Hertogenbosch (d. Gicquel). For the remainder of the season, Ferrer failed to continue his first half success but did reach the semi-final at Bastad (l. Robredo) and the quarter final stages at Tokyo (l. Del Potro). In the Davis Cup final at the end of the season, Ferrer lost a singles rubber against Argentine David Nalbandian 3-6, 2-6, 3-6.