'Tired' Ferrero loses in Marseille
MARSEILLE, France -- Tired top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero was knocked out in the first round of the Marseille Open, losing 6-7 7-6 6-3 to Frenchman Gregory Carraz.
"Motivation was not lacking, strength was," said world number two Ferrero, who was beaten in two hours and 13 minutes.
Ferrero had replaced world number one Roger Federer as top seed after the Australian Open champion pulled out complaining of general weariness.
Ferrero, a semi-finalist in Melbourne and losing finalist to Lleyton Hewitt in Rotterdam, also said fatigue had got the better of him.
"My legs were heavy. I could not move or hit the ball right. Against a good serve-and-volley player, there is not a lot you can do," said the French Open champion.
The Spaniard said he would now try to get some rest before going to Indian Wells, Miami, Mallorca, Valencia and Monte Carlo. "I only have two weeks to recuperate. It won't be a real break," he said.
While Federer did not play in Marseille, his Davis Cup captain, the semi-retired Marc Rosset, was enjoying himself in one of his favourite tournaments.
The veteran Swiss, who has won the event three times, beat Italian Davide Sanguinetti in straight sets to ease into the second round.
