David Ferrer shocks Nadal in Monte Carlo

David Ferrer has upset Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the ATP 1000 event in Monte Carlo. It was Ferrer’s first win over Nadal for a decade, and only his second clay career clay court win over his countryman.

The loss still comes as a shock despite Nadal’s lackluster start to the 2014 season. Defeats at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami were all noteworthy for a variety of reasons, but this loss stands out. Nadal has had slow starts to seasons before only to revive himself when the tour hits the red clay. And much the same thing was expected this year.

But Ferrer had other things on his mind. Like improving his stats from 1-17 on clay. And revenge. Revenge must taste sweet, too. Ferrer suffered the bitter disappointment of letting leads slip against Nadal last year, but the clay in his mouth must be quite tasty right now.

Perhaps the last defeat on the surface, in straight sets in the Roland Garros final no less, was the last straw. Ferrer’s form has stagnated a but since then, but the clay and Nadal seemed to breathe new life into him. And he knew Nadal was there for the taking. From the very first game, Ferrer’s aggression and counter punching, an effective mix if ever there was one when added to the wheels on the 32 year old, got the better of Nadal.

Ferrer broke early in the first set. He was pegged back, but in the tie-breaker he ran ahead of his opponent, winning it 7-1. In the second set, he just kept on going as Nadal’s game declined into a sea of errors, 44 in total, while Ferrer kept attacking, coming to the net whenever the moment arose and denying Nadal the chance to embroil him in long rallies.

Ferrer served for the match at 5-2 in the second. He slipped up a little, but he did not buckle. At the second time of asking, Ferrer sealed the win, a famous one, and a worrying one for Nadal fans.

The world no.1 will see his ranking points drop, being the defending finalist, but his aura will suffer more. If Ferrer, seemingly off form and aged 32, can defeat Nadal on clay, then other players will believe they can, too. Belief-a quality Nadal is lacking right now. And one Ferrer will, and rightly so, be full of.