Ferrer in Decline?

David Ferrer kept up with or kept close to the Big 4 more consistently than any other player. He notched Grand Slam wins over Rafael Nadal in 2007 and 2011.  He took Andy Murray out at Roland Garros 2012.  His 2013 runner-up finish at Roland Garros coupled with multiple Grand Slam semifinal and quarterfinal appearances made Ferrer a consistent companion to the Big 4 in the second week of Grand Slam events.  More powerful peers such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych have not matched Ferrer’s consistency even if they each have one Grand Slam runner-up to their name.  JMDP gets a pass due to injuries, and Stanislas Wawrinka has only emerged as a threat to the Big 4 in the last 20 months.  Still, many players have not made the Big 4 prove their superiority over and over again the way Ferrer did.  In the era of the Big 4, he was Feisty Number Five.

Granted Ferrer reached the final 8 at Melbourne and Roland Garros.  Still, something about his loss to Berdych in Melbourne, his patchy clay court season, his final 2 sets versus Rafa in Paris, failing to defend his grass court title in the Netherlands, and this 2nd round loss in London have me worried that Ferrer may be hitting a wall.  He is 32 and has pushed hard to be in incredibly shape and play great tennis despite not earning a ton of free points.  If he is declining, he’s earned the right to decline.  I hope that I am wrong about what I am seeing though.

Vika and Kvitova: Get and Stay Healthy

Victoria Azarenka’s return from injuries ended earlier than expected, but she did demonstrate some of her trademark athleticism in today’s three set thriller.

Petra Kvitova’s serve and overall game are so natural.  One can only hope she gets and remains healthy to re harness a game that looked like it might take over the WTA in 2011.   Venus vs. Kvitiova could be a great match for fans.

Stepanek and Tomic: Two Different 4 Set Losses

Some highlights with a nod to Crocodile Dundee II’s Soundtrack

Radek Stepanek dug deep and pushed world #2 Novak Djokovic hard in a great 4 set match.

Bernard Tomic had two chances to go up two sets to one versus Tomas Berdych as he earned 2 break points with the Big Czech serving at 5-6 in the 3rd set.  Berdych pushed the threat back and forced a tiebreak.  I thought to myself if Tomic wins this set, Berdych will force him to win the match, but if Berdych wins this set, Tomic will get rolled in the 4th set.  Berdych won the match 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.    To be fair, Tomic had hip surgery in February and his conditioning may not be where he’d like it to be.  Still, Dimitrov, Raonic and to a lesser extent Dolgopolov are distancing themselves from Tomic.