Andreev Wins Thriller over Ferrer to Claim Title
Russian Igor Andreev secured his first career ATP title at the Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana on Sunday. Andreev defeated Spain's David Ferrer 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in 2 hours, 9 minutes.
The 21-year-old Russian looked to have the match in control as he served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, before Ferrer spurred on by the home crowd came back to take the match into a decider. Andreev broke Ferrer four times in the third set to complete the victory.
Andreev improves to 1-2 in career ATP finals, having lost twice in finals last year (Gstaad, Bucharest). He improves his career head-to-head against Ferrer to 2-0.
Andreev claims 35 INDESIT ATP 2005 Race points and a winner's cheque of € 46,700. He improves to 11-9 in 2005.
En route to claiming the title, Andreev defeated Fernando Vicente, Potito Starace, Rafael Nadal, Ivan Navarro Pastor and Ferrer.
Ferrer falls to 1-3 in ATP finals, his lone victory coming in Bucharest in 2002 (d. Acasuso). The Spaniard who reached the semifinals of the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami last week, was playing in his first final since 2003 (Sopot).