adminWorld Number Four David Ferrer suffered a shock first round loss to Xavier Malisse at the Topshelf Open in Hertogenbosch.
The Spaniard’s preparations for Wimbledon were dealt a big blow as the veteran Belgian recorded a 7-6 6-3 victory.The 33-year-old former Wimbledon semi-finalist took the opener 7-3 in the tie-break after there were no breaks of serve.
The first break of the match came in the eighth game of the second set as defending champion Ferrer dropped his serve to love and Malisse, now ranked 60th in the world, completed the job in 88 minutes.
Ferrer was riding high following his first Grand Slam final appearance at Roland Garros and followed fourth seed Benoit Paire out of the tournament.
It takes the tally of seeds eliminated to six after John Isner, Marcos Baghdatis, Victor Hanescu and Daniel Gimeno-Traver crashed out on Monday.
Meanwhile, Tennis great Gene Mako, who won four major doubles titles and was ranked in the world top 10 during the 1930s, has died in Southern California. He was 97 years old.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame said Mako died on Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles. The hospital confirmed his death. — Eurosport-Sport24..
Online Reporter