1 Response to rg03ferrero_gonzalez

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 16, 2024 at 11:37 am

   Points won by each set: | 27-12, 31-32, 32-18, 42-45, 37-31 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   31 % Ferrero – 42 of 141
   19 % Gonzalez – 33 of 166

   Ferrero [3] had been the main favorite to win the French Open ’03 and he fulfilled expectations, but the quarterfinal vs Gonzalez [20] was very tricky despite Ferrero’s higher ranking, and much more matches won in Paris in the previous few years (Ferrero’s 10th match on Philippe Chatrier while Gonzalez debuted on that court). The Chilean had won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 their French Open junior final in 1998 as well as their two previous main-level meetings. Certainly that confidence of mutual meetings helped him in difficult situations in the 4th set – he came back from a break down twice, and saved triple break point at 2-all, then three mini-match points at 4-all. Before the decider the Chilean took a toilet break. Ferrero seemed a bit discouraged after all the chances he’d wasted in the previous set, but recovered mentally with good serving. Gonzalez came back also in the decider, from *1:3 to 3-all, but the Spaniard saved more energy, however, in the last game he had tough times again when the Chilean saved five match points with shots at full risk (four winners). One of a few wins in Ferrero’s career he celebrated on the knees. Gonzalez’s second major quarterfinal lost after a dramatic five-setter in which he was within a few points of losing in four sets.

   Serve & volley: Ferrero 1/1, Gonzalez 1/1

   # Comparison of their two five-setters:
   French Open 2003: Ferrero d. Gonzalez 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4… 3 hours 29 minutes… Total points: 169-138 (total 307)
   Wimbledon 2009: Ferrero d. Gonzalez 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4…. 3 hours 1 minute… Total points: 148-153 (total 301)

   Log in to Reply