David Ferrer is in quarter-final action against Columbia's Alejandro Falla at the Heineken Open in Auckland.
Ferrer may have been conceding eight inches in height in his second round clash with the 6'5 Czech Lukas Rosol but the top seed's superb returning game ensured he was always in control and he made light of Rosol's booming serve, winning 6-4, 6-2.
Ferrer got off to a fast start, breaking Rosol in the seventh game and then twice more in the second set to ensure the Czech never had a sniff of getting back in the match.
"I played good today, no? He plays with great power and it's good to start this way in the first match and to win in two sets," Ferrer said afterwards.
It'll be a different match against the hard hitting leftie Falla who has a ferocious forehand and loves to go toe to toe from the baseline. He knocked out American Donald Young 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening round and cannot be underestimated but Ferrer is a much better mover and should have the speed and skill to comfortably outmanoeuvre the Columbian.
Prediction: Ferrer in two.
