David Ferrer hopes to build on the momentum he gained at the three-day Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi in his Qatar Open title defence this week.
Ferrer finished third at the season-opening exhibition event after beating world number four Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 10-8 at the International Tennis Stadium, Zayed Sports City, on Saturday.
It was another dynamic performance from the scurrying Spaniard to follow his battling display in an epic semi-final with compatriot Rafael Nadal on Friday, when Ferrer succumbed 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6 in two hours and 23 minutes.
The world number seven is approaching the Doha event, which begins on Monday and which Ferrer won last year after beating Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 in the final, with considerable confidence given his fine form and previous success.
“I have good memories as I won last year,” he told media, after being asked whether he felt any pressure about defending his crown against the likes of Nadal and world number one Novak Djokovic. “I don’t mind defending my title.
“I will be focused on my next match.”
What was the key to his success against Wawrinka? “In the tie-break, the last points were close. I played maybe more aggressive than him and he hit two mistakes. He could have won the match.”
Ferrer was making his fifth appearance at the Mubadala event – he finished as the runner-up to Djokovic in 2013 – which he hailed as “a great tournament”.
“It’s very good preparation for the new season as you have the chance to play with top players,” Ferrer, who said his main target for the new season is to remain in the world’s top 10, added. “I enjoyed it a lot and I will come back for sure.”
