Tennis: David Ferrer battles to win with typical tenacity

David Ferrer's ever-present grit was on full display on centre court in Auckland yesterday. Photo / Photosport

If this is David Ferrer's last trip to Auckland, then he is going out in trademark style.

The four-time champion yesterday qualified for the second round of the ASB Classic for the 13th time, defeating 18-year-old wildcard Wu Yibing, 7-6(7), 6-4.

Since the ASB Classic went to a hardcourt surface 40 years ago, Ferrer rates as the most successful player to visit Auckland, bringing up his 29th victory yesterday.

The 35-year-old is the oldest player in the tournament, and he needed every last ounce of experience to overcome a player nearly half his age in a two-hour battle.

Ferrer's experience is becoming increasingly crucial, with his game not one which ages well, and, as proved yesterday, there are few easy wins for him these days.

Unlike the behemoths with a dominant serve, the 173cm Ferrer is reliant on his speed and agility to track down shots and win long rallies.

Succeeding with that style has become harder recently, with Ferrer's world ranking down to 37, and the Spaniard failing to get past the third round at any Grand Slam last year.

But despite slowing down, Ferrer's tenacity is still ever-present, and was on full display on centre court.

Against less relentless players the impressive Wu could have claimed the biggest win of his career, with only Ferrer's consistency denying the world number 314 a breakthrough victory.

Wu showed why tournament director Karl Budge deemed him worthy of a wildcard, with the junior US Open champion hitting some exquisite passing shots; his backhand a particular delight. But while Wu had the style, you also need the substance to beat Ferrer, and his qualities which have shone in Auckland since 2003 came to the fore.

Lengthy rallies are the veteran's trademark, with the first set taking 75 minutes to complete. Wu had a golden opportunity, up 6-4 in the tiebreak, but Ferrer - as he usually does - battled back to claim the set.

"Maybe I lost my focus, but this is tennis - until the last ball, you never know," philosophised Ferrer.

Age may have slowed him, but it's still hard to smack winners past him. Shots which would evade the racquet of most players are chased down, any mistakes get pounced on, and he'll grind opponents into committing unforced errors.

Wu found that out the hard way in the second set, receiving no easy points, and making mistakes at crucial times as Ferrer once again ground out a tiring triumph.

Wu received the standing ovation as he left the court, but Ferrer left with the victory - yet another win at the venue where he stands alone.

"It was very difficult, he is a young player but has very great power with his shots," analysed the Spaniard post-match.

"Maybe the key was my experience in the important moments."

He'll have to call on that experience in the second round against 2017 runner-up Joao Sousa.

"He is a good player, we will do a lot of rallies I think, so a very physical match.

"It will be a tough match."

These days, they all are for Ferrer, yet he still keeps racking up the wins.