Ferrer fights through to keep Spain in command at home event

By Bill Scott Apr 25, 2006, 20:31 GMT

Spain\'s David Ferrer returns a ball in a two-hand backhand to his opponent, Briton Andy Murray during their second leg match of Conde de Godo Trophy, played in Barcelona, on Tuesday 25 April 206. David Ferrer finally won 4-6, 7-6 and 6-1. EPA/TONI ALBIR

Barcelona - Fifth seed David Ferrer had to fight past Brit Andy Murray 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 Tuesday to keep Spain's home victory streak alive at the 850,000-euro Barcelona Open.

The clay specialist had his hands full as the 43rd-ranked British teenager came alive on the surface after barely scratching past a number 291 opponent in the opening round.

Ferrer, who lost last week in the Monte Carlo quarterfinals to Roger Federer, teetered on the brink of defeat as Murray served for victory leading 6-5 in the second set.

But a break to love assured a tiebreaker, which Ferrero claimed before rolling through the final set.

The world number 12 was one of six home winners on the day; three of those came at the expense of compatriots at a tournament where 21 Spaniards began the week.

High-profile top seed Rafael Nadal will begin on Wednesday against a compatriot in Feliciano Lopez. Murray, who learned his tennis in Barcelona where he lived for several years at the Casal-Sanchez academy, called his match 'my best performance on clay ever by a long way.'

He said that except for some back pain which prevented him from lifting up fully on his serve, 'I could have had him.'

Nicolas Almagro extended Spanish success as he upset French 13th seed Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-4 to reach join Ferrer in the third round.

Chances for more of the same remain good at the venerated Real Club de Tenis after eight locals advanced on opening day and six more got through Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Almagro, who won his first career title in Valencia this month as a qualifier, continued to impress with his knockout of the slumping young Frenchman.

Almagro also reached the semifinals of Acapulco in March and the quarterfinals of Costa do Sauipe in February.

Monfils rose briefly earlier this year to reach a 25th ranking from a losing final in Doha during the first week of 2006 to Roger Federer.

But in the interim, the 19-year-old has won just two matches over the past three months.

Czech Tomas Berdych, champion at the Paris Masters in November, handed Spain a minor disappointment with his defeat of Alberto Montanes 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a first-round contest.

But moving ahead were Iberians Alberto Martin, Alberto Portas and 12th seed Fernando Verdasco.

Martin, ranked 63rd, put out wild card Bartolome Salva-Vidal, the number 339 with a 6-4, 6-2 score.

Portas overcame Oscar Hernandez 6-2, 6-4, while Verdasco beat Czech Robin Vik 6-3, 6-4. Verdasco stopped Czech Robin Vik 6-3, 6-4/

Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka beat Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 while Croatian Ivo Karlovic put out Max Mirnyi 6-3, 6-4 in a battle of huge serves.