By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, June 25, 2014
David Ferrer's impressive streak of at least reaching the third round at majors came to an end at the hands of Andrey Kuznetsov.
Photo Credit: AP
Spain's David Ferrer became the highest seed on the men's side at Wimbledon to exit after a five set loss.
Wimbledon - Azarenka Bows Out in Three Sets
The seventh seeded Ferrer took on Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov during the second round match on Tuesday. Kuznetsov, who won the Wimbledon boys' title back in 2009, was a qualifier into the main draw this year.
Ferrer took the first set in a tiebreak, but he was unable to win a single game in the second set. The Spaniard battled back to take the third set and looked poised to wrap up the match in four sets. But Kuznetsov, who struck 77 winners in the match, refused to go away and soon claimed the fourth set.
Taking hold of an early break in the final set, Kuznetsov would claim another to seal his advantage. Soon, the World No. 118 Kuznetsov sealed the surprise 6-7(5), 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 upset win.
Here's what Ferrer had to say about the loss.
This marks the first time in 17 appearances at Grand Slams that Ferrer has not reached the third round.
Berdych Advances as Gulbis Exits
No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych faced off against Australia's Bernard Tomic in the fourth round at last year's Wimbledon. This time they met in the second round and once again battle in four sets.
With Tomic taking the first set, both men eventually needed a second set tiebreak. Though played at times tense at other times terrific tennis, Berdych fended off Tomic to take the set 7-6(5). Tomic would take a tumble in the third set and that appeared to effect his movement given that he had just returned to tour after having double hip surgery.
Berdych would seize the third set in a tiebreak and cruise in the fourth eventually closing out a 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 6-1 win.
No. 12 seed Ernests Gulbis of Latvia had few answers against the serve and volley of Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky. Though he reached the French Open semifinals a few weeks ago, Gulbis fell in straight sets to Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Stakovsky is perhaps best know for having upset Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon last year.