In the men's event, world number one Roger Federer was drawn against Russian Nikolay Davydenko.
World number one Roger Federer beat Chile's Paul Capdeville 6-1 6-4 6-4 in Wednesday's late match.
"I will do everything in my power to be world number one, " said Ferrero.
"I do plan to return to golf one day, " said the world number one.
England's Oliver Wilson was another sympathetic to the plight of the world number one.
The Brazilian former world number one needed just 53 minutes to dismiss the Croatian.
Her sister Serena, the world number one, will also miss the event in Alabama.
"The crowd was probably the difference in the end I think, " said the world number one.
Provisional world number one Ken Doherty and defending champion Ding Junhui edged ahead in their matches.
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She was only stopped by eventual winner Victoria Azarenka, the current world number one.
World number one Novak Djokovic has already been an outspoken critic of the surface.
Deposed world number one Tiger Woods is five off the lead after a difficult 72.
Dubliner Ken Doherty upset Scottish world number one John Higgins 6-2 in Saturday's first semi-final.
Defending champion Lee Westwood shared third place with Alvaro Quiros to remain as world number one.
Safin, a former world number one, is without a title since winning the 2005 Australian Open.
The past three months haven't been the best for Finland's former world number one.
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The world number one took a five-month hiatus from golf following revelations about his private life.
Elsewhere, Serena Williams set up a semifinal showdown with world number one Victoria Azarenka.
The 28-year-old former world number one will face Egypt's fifth seed Amr Shabana in the last four.
Venus told CNN her ambition this year is to topple Serena to become the world number one.
Montgomerie finished second to Woods at the Open this year, five strokes behind the world number one.
If the event goes to form Federer, the world number one, should face Nadal in the final.
World number one Wozniacki of Denmark then thrashed Russia's Elena Dementieva 6-1 6-1 in the Maroon Group.
World number one golfer Rory McIlroy has revealed that he may not play in the next Olympics.
The American ended the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational 18 over, although he keeps hold of the world number one spot.
The former world number one is playing his first clay-court tournament of the season following a hip injury.
The world number one's last tournament appearance was on 15 November - when he won the Australian Masters.
The Wimbledon women's singles seedings reflect the current WTA Tour rankings, with world number one Sharapova selected top.
These endorsements, and others in the pipeline, will see her bound past world number one Annika Sorenstam's earnings.
BBC: The hour before school started was always a busy time for me.
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo was among a host of players to voice their support for Peer.
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