Ferrero felled by Carraz
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ByEurosport
Published 25/02/2004 at 16:08 GMT
World number two Juan Carlos Ferrero was knocked out in the Marseille Open second round on Wednesday by Gregory Carraz of France. The Spaniard took the first set in a tie-break, but noticeably tired as his 28-year-old opponent took the match 6-7 (2-7) 7-6
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"Motivation was not lacking, strength was," said world number two Ferrero, who was beaten in two hours and 13 minutes.
"I did not play my best tennis because I was not 100% physically," the Spaniard added.
Ferrero had replaced world number one Roger Federer as top seed after the Australian Open champion pulled out before the start of the tournament complaining of general weariness.
Federer followed his success in Melbourne by leading Switzerland into the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup before being knocked out at the last eight stage of the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam last week.
Ferrero, a semi-finalist in Melbourne and losing finalist to Lleyton Hewitt in Rotterdam, also said fatigue had got the better of him.
"My legs were heavy. I could not move or hit the ball right. Against a good serve-and-volley player, there is not a lot you can do," the French Open champion said.
The match between Ferrero and one of the most improved French players of the season was very tight at first, the first two sets ending in a tie-break.
Carraz earned the first real break of the match in the third set and it proved decisive as the Frenchman, who struck 27 aces, maintained a solid serve.
"That's the best win in my career for it's the first time I beat a top 10 guy," Carraz said.
The two have met once previously, in Bangkok last year, when Carraz made Ferrero work hard for his victory, as he came within two points of winning the match.
Ferrero said he would now try to get some rest before going to Indian Wells, Miami, Mallorca, Valencia and Monte Carlo.
"I only have two weeks to recuperate. It won't be a real break," he said.
In early action on Wednesday, Carraz's compatriot Cyril Saulnier beat Julian Knowle of Austria 6-1 6-3.
Swiss Davis Cup captain Marc Rosset, who qualified for the tournament, defeated Davide Sanguinetti of Italy 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
While Swede Robin Soderling beat compatriot and former world number four Thomas Enqvist 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-1).
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