It's finally a Ferrer day at Malaysian Open tennis
Ferrer took home US$170,600 (RM752,800) for winning the Malaysian Open tennis title. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: David Ferrer finally came good at the Malaysian Open, beating Spanish compatriot Feliciano Lopez to emerge as champion for the first time.
Playing for the fifth time in Malaysia, world No. 8 Ferrer beat Lopez 7-5, 7-5 in the final at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
It was an explosive contest as the 33-year-old Ferrer and 34-year-old Lopez broke each other in the seventh and eighth games of the first set.
But Ferrer’s tenacity got the better of Lopez as he broke again in the 12th game to take the set 7-5.
That gave Ferrer the confidence he needed and he pushed on in the second set, earning eight break chances before finally converting in the 12th game to seal the win after 93 minutes.
“It was definitely the best match I had all week. And it was an important one as well as Feliciano has been playing so well lately,” said Ferrer who was a semi-finalist here in 2010 and 2012.
“I was serving better today and that gave me the confidence. I’m very happy to win.”
Lopez reacts after losing a point to Ferrer in the final of the Malaysian Open.
Ferrer’s triumph in Malaysia means he now has four titles this season after wins in Doha, Rio de Janeiro and Acalpulco. It is also his 25th career title from 50 final appearances.
“It’s always good to be in the final and to win, after some injury problems a few months earlier, is very good,” said Ferrer.
“I’m also proud that I’ve won 25 titles. Although I’m 33, I still can compete with the best,” added Ferrer whose next assignment is the China Open in Beijing from Oct 5-11.
World No. 17 Lopez admitted that he was frustrated by Ferrer’s ability to pick up every shot thrown at him in the final.
“I thought I was serving well but it was obviously not good enough because he was just so fast,” said Lopez.
Ferrer took home US$170,600 (RM752,800) while Lopez had to settle for US$89,840 (RM396,420).
