Ferrer looking for A game & slice of luck to topple Djokovic

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  • Focused: Ferrer lost twice to Novak in the event’s history and is seeking revenge.

    David Ferrer is hoping Novak Djokovic, his opponent in today’s final in Abu Dhabi, will have an off day as the Spaniard plots to avenge his losses to the two-time defending champion on the very same court in the past two editions of the tournament.

    While Ferrer should be confident after his straight sets win over world No1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals yesterday, the Spanish No2 says it would be difficult for him to defeat Djokovic at his best.

    Ferrer lost to the Serb in the semi-finals 6-0, 6-3 last year at Zayed Sports City, and was crushed 6-2, 6-1 in the final the year before.

    “I think that this year the surface is faster than the other years. Every year is different. I don’t know the sensations I played with him two years ago in the final. I know to beat Nole (Djokovic), he has to have a bad day and I have to have a very good day,” said Ferrer.

    The quick surface meant that both Nadal and Ferrer made numerous trips to the net yesterday, a plan which paid off for the winner and the world No3 is hoping to replicate that performance against Djokovic today.

    “The key to beat the best players in the world like Rafael (Nadal), Andy (Murray) or Nole is to be aggressive and to finish the points at the net, if I don’t do so it’s impossible to beat them.”

    Ferrer is turning a new leaf in 2014 after the Spaniard ended his relationship with Javier Piles, his coach of 15 years.

    It was a surprise announcement Ferrer made only a few days ago and while it could be a risky change after training with the same person for so many years, his tennis does not seem to be affected by it, having already beaten two top-10 players this weekend, Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka.

    “I’m happy. It’s not easy to with Rafael or yesterday with Stan. So I played consistently aggressive for moments and I served well,” admits Ferrer, who has a 4-4 record on hard courts against Nadal in official matches.

    “Rafael, he didn’t play too many matches and he only practiced for two weeks.

    “I practiced for four weeks so I had more time and maybe yesterday I played one match, I was more adapted to the court. I’m sure in the next weeks, Rafa will improve his game.”

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