ARTICLE
Stepanek knocks out Ferrero
17-2-2005
Radek Stepanek continues to surprise. Having beaten David Nalbandian in the first round, the Czech beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in three sets yesterday evening: 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-3. The Spaniard, who lost last year’s final, stands to lose a large number of ATP points.
Stepanek’s game was steadier and sharper from the outset. More often that not, it was he who produced the decisive shots, sometimes at the end of lengthy exchanges. For a while, it seemed as though Ferrero might again pull it off in the third set, as he had frequently done last year. Although Stepanek had two matchpoints at 6-4 in the tiebreak of the second set, Ferrero came back to win 8-6. The Czech’s play was more resilient in the third set. Whereas Ferrero occasionally had difficulties staying in the match, Stepanek made very few mistakes. He broke the Spaniard’s service in the sixth game, taking a 4-2 lead that he never surrendered. Stepanek, who celebrated his victory with abundance, will play either Thomas or Joachim Johansson next. Tonight’s performance is unlikely to have escaped their attention.
----
FROM EUROSPORT
Former world number one Ferrero entered the tournament with the aim of rebuilding his career after injury and illness ruined his 2004 season.
Now ranked 64th, his lowest position in six years, Ferrero showed glimpses of the form that carried him to the 2003 French Open title when he overcame a 3-1 first-set deficit to thwart Schuettler's challenge.
"It's disappointing for me where my ranking is right now but, after Rotterdam, I don't have any points to defend," said Ferrero, runner-up to Lleyton Hewitt here last year.
"I know if I am good mentally, it (my ranking) will go up. I need to try and be the same Juan Carlos as before."
Stepanek knocks out Ferrero
17-2-2005
Radek Stepanek continues to surprise. Having beaten David Nalbandian in the first round, the Czech beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in three sets yesterday evening: 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-3. The Spaniard, who lost last year’s final, stands to lose a large number of ATP points.
Stepanek’s game was steadier and sharper from the outset. More often that not, it was he who produced the decisive shots, sometimes at the end of lengthy exchanges. For a while, it seemed as though Ferrero might again pull it off in the third set, as he had frequently done last year. Although Stepanek had two matchpoints at 6-4 in the tiebreak of the second set, Ferrero came back to win 8-6. The Czech’s play was more resilient in the third set. Whereas Ferrero occasionally had difficulties staying in the match, Stepanek made very few mistakes. He broke the Spaniard’s service in the sixth game, taking a 4-2 lead that he never surrendered. Stepanek, who celebrated his victory with abundance, will play either Thomas or Joachim Johansson next. Tonight’s performance is unlikely to have escaped their attention.
----
FROM EUROSPORT
Former world number one Ferrero entered the tournament with the aim of rebuilding his career after injury and illness ruined his 2004 season.
Now ranked 64th, his lowest position in six years, Ferrero showed glimpses of the form that carried him to the 2003 French Open title when he overcame a 3-1 first-set deficit to thwart Schuettler's challenge.
"It's disappointing for me where my ranking is right now but, after Rotterdam, I don't have any points to defend," said Ferrero, runner-up to Lleyton Hewitt here last year.
"I know if I am good mentally, it (my ranking) will go up. I need to try and be the same Juan Carlos as before."
