Ferrero on comeback trail in Stuttgart

 

Originally published on: 15/07/11 09:40

Juan Carlos Ferrero reminded everyone of his talents in Stuttgart as he ousted last-remaining seed Mikhail Youzhny to reach the quarter-finals of the Mercedes Cup.

The 31-year-old Spaniard had played just five matches this season ahead of the Stuttgart event due to niggling wrist and knee injuries, but scored his third victory in four meetings with the Russian to get back on the winning trail on the ATP Tour.

“I’m really happy because for me my goal in this tournament is keep healthy,” said the former world No.1.

“I came from a long injury, so I wanted to play some matches, didn’t matter the result. Of course it’s very nice to win. After these two matches, I get into the tournament, I get a little bit of the rhythm that I need to play good tennis.”

Ferrero, playing in his first tournament since losing to Thiemo de Bakker in the first round in Madrid, next faces compatriot Marcel Granollers for a place in the Stuttgart semi-finals for the second straight year. Last year, the 15-time tour titlist fell to fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes.

Lukasz Kubot, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, continued his good form by defeating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, while Santiago Giralldo, Pavol Cervenak,Federico del Bonis and German wildcard Cedrik-Marcel Stebe are also through. A German wildcard ranked at No.197 in the world, 20-year-old Stebe was delighted to reach his first ATP World Tour quarter-final.

“It’s just simply amazing, the quarter-finals here at my hometown tournament,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling to get to see all the people around you.”

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