David Ferrer recorded his 50th match win of the year after recovering from a 1-4 second set deficit to beat Andreas Seppi 6-3,7-5 in one hour and 34 minutes.
The top seed and three-time champion is attempting to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. His position in the Emirates ATP Race to London could be boosted to sixth, should he win his fourth Valencia Open trophy this Sunday. The Spaniard previously picked up the ATP World Tour 500 tournament crown back in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych suffered a first-round exit, just three days after lifting his 10th ATP World Tour title at the If Stockholm Open. The second seeded ace lost to Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2 in 72 minutes.
Berdych is currently No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Race To London, just 220 points ahead of No. 8-ranked Andy Murray, who is also competing at the ATP World Tour 500 indoor tournament.
Murray, who was also the 2009 champion, could gain from Berdych’s loss this week. This, after he hit 10 aces to bet Jurgen Melzer 6-3,6-3 in 81 minutes, to raise his chances to the fifth spot in the Emirates ATP Race To London, if he were to clinch the title.
Results from the Valencia Open Men’s Singles matches
Round 2
Pablo Carreno (Spain) beat 4-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-4 6-4
Round 1
1-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Andreas Seppi (Italy) 6-3 7-5
6-Roberto Bautista (Spain) beat Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 6-4 6-4
3-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Jurgen Melzer (Austria) 6-3 6-3
Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil) beat Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 7-5 6-3
Pablo Andujar (Spain) beat 2-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-2
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