Melbourne, Australia: Third-seeded David Ferrer overcame a sluggish start to post a 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win over Germany's Florian Mayer and advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Ferrer was broken in the first game of the match and trailed 3-1 before taking control and advancing to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight time at Melbourne Park and ninth consecutive time at a Grand Slam tournament.
The Spaniard reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 at the end of last season and achieved his highest-ever seeding at the Australian Open.
He next faces the winner of the match between seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and South African Kevin Anderson, being played later Sunday.
