Ferrer Races Into Fourth Consecutive QF

Fifth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer extended his winning streak to seven matches after defeating Serb Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 6-0 in the first match of the day Thursday on Court Central. Ferrer, who last week won his hometown title in Valencia, remains unbeaten on clay this season.

Ferrer has now reached the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals four consecutive years. He boasts an 11-4 record in Monaco.

In 2007, the No. 2 Spaniard (behind Nadal) compiled his best season by winning a career-high three ATP titles and advancing to his first semifinal at a Grand Slam tournament at the US Open (l. to Djokovic). He qualified for his first Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai and reached the final, winning four of five matches, losing only to Roger Federer in the final. He won a career-best 61 matches and also lost only four times in opening rounds in 25 tournaments during the year.

Ferrer is one of the ATP’s best return of servers, leading three Ricoh ATP MatchFacts categories — break points converted (48%), return games won (36%) and points won returning second serve (57%).

Russian Igor Andreev needed eight match points in a dramatic final game to defeat in-form Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to reach his first Monte-Carlo quarterfinal. Serving at 4-5 in the third set, Almagro clawed back from 0/40 and then also saved four break points before finally succumbing.

Andreev also reached the quarterfinals of his last ATP Masters Series event, the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.