Ferrer, Wawrinka make their move

Spaniard David Ferrer blasts Alejandro Gonzalez off the court. Picture: Getty Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

PERENNIALLY condemned to the shadows by grand slam royalty, David Ferrer and Stan Wawrinka last season achieved career watersheds.

Spaniard Ferrer finished the season ranked No 3, higher in the global order than Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and the incomparable Roger Federer.

And Wawrinka completed a fine year at No 8, having outperformed Federer for the first time in 35 majors at September's US Open by reaching the semi-finals after his famed compatriot fell in the fourth round.

Fittingly, given their progress last season, Ferrer and Wawrinka were the first two of the high seeds to reach the second round of the Australian Open yesterday.

French Open finalist Ferrer was typically efficient in overcoming Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez 6-3 6-4 6-4 despite dropping serve five times.

And Wawrinka was torn between pragmatism and compassion after Kazakstan's Andrey Golubey retired with a leg strain when trailing 6-4 4-1 after only 65 minutes.

Beaten 12-10 in the fifth set of an epic fourth-rounder by eventual champion Novak Djokovic last year, Wawrinka was in command against Golubev when the match abruptly ended.

"We never want the opponent to retire for injury, but that's what happen," he said.

"I was feeling good. I think it's one of the best starts in a grand slam if I look about my game and how I felt on the court.

"I was moving well, playing strong, playing okay.

"For sure it's better to finish quickly the first match, the most important (thing) is to win, so doesn't matter."

For the first time, Wawrinka is within striking distance of overtaking Federer in the rankings after winning the Chennai title in the opening week of the season.

Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev receives treatment during his match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"For sure I'm playing better than last year or two years ago," he said.

"Coming after a great year, being for the first time in the top 10 and starting the year with a title, for sure that gives me confidence.

"I'm feeling physically strong and mentally there."

Coached by former world No 2 Magnus Norman, Wawrinka next faces Alejandro Falla after the Colombian overcame Mikhail Kukushkin 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 6-2 6-3.

Ferrer was relieved simply to advance.

"The most important (thing) is (to) win," he said. "And today maybe I didn't play my best tennis, but I won. That's important."

Czech seventh Tomas Berdych bustled past Kazakstan's Alexsandr Nedoyesov 6-3 6-4 6-3 as Frenchman Richard Gasquet ousted compatriot David Guez 7-5 6-4 6-1.

Russia's Mikhail Youzhny past German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1 6-4 6-2 as Croat Ivan Dodig dispatched Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) despite his compatriot's 25 thunderous aces.

Dodig tomorrow meets qualifier Damir Dzumhur, who slumped to his knees and kissed the court after whipping Czech Jan Hajek 6-4 6-2 6-1.

Youzhny will be challenged by German Florian Mayer, who trumped American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-4 6-2 6-4.

Other seeds to advance were Italian Fabio Fognini, Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

American Sam Querrey thrived in the warmth, rifling 24 aces in a 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-3) margin over Colombian Santiago Giraldo.

ends

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