Defending champion David Ferrer gets his 2012 Auckland campaign underway against Czech Lukas Rosol.
Ferrer has won the Auckland title twice, enjoying a great run at the Heineken Open last year, seeing off former champion Philipp Kohlschreiber and then David Nalbandian. And the world number five is hot favourite to triumph again after his form in the pre-season Abu Dhabi exhibition event.
Ferrer defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Rafael Nadal before getting crushed by Novak Djokovic in the final but it was still a confidence boosting few days for the Spaniard and if the draw opens up for him in Melbourne, then who knows.
Ferrer should have the measure of the lanky Rosol who's ranked 74 in the world and by and large, makes his living in small clay court events around Europe. He defeated Spanish left-hander Albert Ramos 6-2, 6-4 earlier in the week but he'll struggle against a returner of Ferrer's class.
Looking further into Ferrer's draw, it's hard to see anyone testing him unless the semi-finals where Fernando Verdasco could await. There's been a spate of upsets in the top half leaving Ferrer's path to the final fairly ckear.
