Ferrer and Isner Both Advance to Heineken Open Semis
January 9, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Spain's David Ferrer won his14th consecutive match at the Heineken Open on Thursday in Auckland, getting past Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals. Ferrer is seeking his fifth Heineken Open title (third consecutive and also won the title in 2007) and has a 25-5 overall record at the event.
Also earning a trip to the semis was 2010 champion and third seed John Isner of the United States, who overcame fifth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(5). Isner said after the match, "I served unbelievably well today and that's the only reason I won."
American wild card Jack Sock's aspirations for a semifinals trip ended after a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut. On Wednesday, Sock had posted the biggest win of his career by defeating Tommy Haas in the second round. Agut will face Isner for a spot in the finals.
Also advancing to the semis on Thursday was Yen-Hsun Lu, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over American Steve Johnson. Due to the weather, Johnson had to win back-to-back matches on Wednesday for a spot in the quarterfinals, but his luck ran out in Auckland as Lu prepares for his semifinals match with Ferrer.
