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Emerging Stebe ousts Ferrero in Hamburg


 

Originally published on: 20/07/11 10:20

Just two days after winning his sixteenth ATP Tour title in Stuttgart, Juan Carlos Ferrero was brought back down to earth with a bump at the bet-at-home Open – German Tennis Championships 2011.

The Spaniard, who returned from an injury break last week to win the Mercedes Cup and the prize of a brand new Mercedes SLK 350, which he presented to his father, fell to a 6-3 6-2 defeat to Cedrik-Marcel Stebe.

A 20-year-old wildcard, Stebe climbed to a career-high No.168 in the world on Monday after making the quarter-finals of the Mercedes Cup, where he defeated Nikolay Davydenko in the first round.

And this week in Hamburg the youngster managed another trick, beating the former world No.1 in comfortable fashion.

Born in Muhlacker, in South West Germany, the six-foot left-hander turned pro last year and has spent the majority of the last few years playing futures and challenger events. He has kicked on in recent months though, having reached the main draw in Halle, Wimbledon and Stuttgart, where he lost his first ATP quarter-final to world No.55 Pablo Andujar.

Meanwhile, last year’s surprise Hamburg champion Andrey Golubev continued his poor year, losing in the first round to home favourite Philippp Kohlschreiber. 

The Kazak has now lost 15 first round matches this year, recording just four wins – which include two Davis Cup wins and a retirement. His victor meanwhile, was delighted to win through to round two.

“For sure I’m really happy,” said Kohlschreiber. “It was a tough match. I think he started a little bit better than me and had better opportunities to win the first set, but after he didn’t convert his break points.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.