Honest toiler Ferrer likes his obscurity, Murray admits to being under pressure

MELBOURNE - Australian Open semi-finalist David Ferrer, it seems, enjoys anonymity.

A long-standing member of the tennis elite, Ferrer chases neither attention nor publicity or fame.

According to the Herald Sun, he is, in an old-fashioned sense, an honest toiler, and if he had his way, he would rather be seen, not heard.

The indefatigable Spaniard is also one of the most dangerous, competent figures in international tennis. His reputation as Mr. Persistence continues to pay off.

Unbeaten in 2011, Ferrer has made a mockery of the so-called Australian Open jinx that is supposed to befall winners of the Auckland title at Melbourne Park.

The baseliner will tonight contest his second grand slam semi-final, once more in the familiar role of underdog to last season’s Open finalist Andy Murray.

Ferrer is 0-2 against Murray on hardcourts, prompting even the generous Nadal to qualify his praise for his friend.

“He’s (Ferrer) playing fantastic. But I think he’s not the favourite,” Nadal said.

“But if he keep playing like this, hopefully he can have a good chance to be in the final or win the tournament. I think that Andy is playing very good, too, but David is playing at high level, no?

Ferrer is the first person to beat Nadal at grand slam level in a year, but history is against him. He is contesting his 33rd major and is yet to reach a final.

Meanwhile, Murray will start as the overwhelming favourite to reach his third major final, but he is not tempted into presumption.

“There’s pressure. I’m sure the next match might be a bit different to today, the pressure. I obviously want to try and reach the final, and if I get there, go on to win the tournament. Unless you’ve been in those positions before, you know, you can’t explain what the pressure’s like,” Murray said.

He added: “You expect a lot of yourself. You want to perform your best right at the end of the event. I’ll be putting pressure on myself to play well.” (ANI)