David Ferrer is making the most of his last few months on the ATP Tour, as the 36-year-old Spaniard stunned No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, Saturday night to reach the third round of the Miami Open. It was Ferrer's first win over a Top-5 opponent since 2015, when he upset Kei Nishikori in the Acapulco final.
Ferrer, who received a wild card to compete in Miami, will take on rising young American star Frances Tiafoe Monday night for a spot in the Round of 16.
Once ranked as high as No. 3 in the world, Ferrer announced during the 2018 US Open that he will retire this year. He is scheduled to play the last tournament of his career at the Mutua Madrid Open in May.
Here's more on the Spaniard, who made his farewell Grand Slam appearance at the Open last year.
The David Ferrer File
Age: 36
Birthplace: Javea, Spain
Residence: Valencia, Spain
Current Rank: 155
Career-High Rank: 3 (July 2013)
Best US Open Finish: Semifinals (2007, 2012)
The Baseline
- Ferrer has won more matches in Miami than at any other ATP Masters 1000 event. He reached the final at the tournament in 2013, the semifinals in 2005 and 2006 and has posted an impressive 33-16 record at the event overall.
- Known for his never-say-die attitude, strong mindset and intense work ethic, the 5-foot-9 Spaniard has won 27 ATP Tour titles during his career. He is one of only four active players, along with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, to have surpassed the 700-win mark.
- Ferrer played in 50 consecutive majors before withdrawing from Wimbledon in 2015 with an elbow injury. He posted seven Top-10 year-end finishes between 2007 and 2015 and reached the quarterfinals or better at all four majors.
- His only appearance in a Grand Slam final came at the French Open in 2013, the same year he reached a career-high No. 3 world ranking. He didn’t drop a set en route to the final, where he fell to countryman Nadal, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
- Ferrer played some of the most consistent tennis of his 19-year career at the US Open. In 2007, he knocked off Nadal in four sets on his way to the semifinals, where he fell to Djokovic, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. He returned to the final four in New York a second time in 2012, where he again lost to the Serb, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
They Said It!
“It means a lot because for me it’s a really special day. It’s my last year playing professional tennis, and winning this type of match against a Top-10 player like Sascha is a gift. I’m really happy. Now I want to enjoy this moment. I’m trying to enjoy every point and every moment that I still have." — Ferrer told ATPTour.com after defeating Zverev in Miami.
