FERRERO LIFTS 16TH TOUR-LEVEL TROPHY
Stuttgart, Germany
by ATP Staff | 17.07.2011
http://0rz.tw/muJ6s
Former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero reminded his rivals he still has what
it takes to win on the ATP World Tour when the 31-year-old Spaniard captured
his 16th tour-level title at the MercedesCup in Stuttgart.
The World No. 85, who was contesting just his third tournament of the year
this week, defeated fellow Spaniard 31mPablo Andujar 6-4, 6-0 in 80 minutes on
Sunday in his 34th final (16-18 overall record).
“It’s been a dream for me this week,” said Ferrero. “This first
tournament playing here [after] a very long year at home, practising zero, so
I came here with no goals. Now I am the winner of the tournament. I’m very
happy. I take a lot of confidence in myself again. I can believe that I can
win tournaments again after the injury. That is the most important thing. The
knee responds very well, so everything’s perfect.”
本周比赛对我来说就像梦一样，这是自从我休了大半年以后的第一项赛事，没有练习过就
来到场上，所以我没有设定任何目标。现在我却拿到了冠军，我很开心。我再度拾起信心
，我相信自己伤后能够再拿下冠军，对我来说这是最重要的事情。膝盖的伤没有问题，一
切都很好。
It was the first all-Spanish final in Stuttgart since 1979. Ferrero is the
seventh different Spaniard to lift the trophy, joining Jose Higueras (1983),
Alberto Berasategui (1994), Alex Corretja (1997), Rafael Nadal (2005 and
2007), David Ferrer (2006) and Albert Montanes (2010).
Ferrero earned 250 South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings points, €68,850
in prize money and a Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY car, which he
presented to his father Eduardo during the on-court trophy ceremony. Eduardo
had joined his son on-site in Stuttgart throughout the week.
“I knew here we win the car, so it’s one thing I wanted to do,” said
Ferrero. “And today I think my father is very happy about it.”
The start of the final was delayed by more than two hours. There were three
service breaks in the first six games, with Ferrero taking a 2-0 and 4-2
lead. Andujar saved two set points at 3-5, but Ferrero was not to be denied.
He won 18 of his 28 service points, closing out the 45-minute opener with an
ace.
Ferrero converted his fourth break point opportunities in the first game of
the second set and never looked back, as Andujar hit four double faults and
won 15 points.
“I started the match very strong, very aggressive all the time with my
forehand and with my backhand, and I put a lot of pressure on him all the
time,” said Ferrero. “The second I didn’t let my level down, so I stayed
motivated all the time and played aggressive till the end.”
Ferrero improves to an 8-2 match record on the season, disrupted by wrist and
knee injuries.
“After what I’ve been passing at home, recovering very slow all the time,
staying 10 months at home, it was very difficult to come here and win,” he
admitted. “When I was playing first round, I could not imagine that I would
win the tournament. For me it’s a big surprise and I’m very happy about it.
”
World No. 55 Andujar, who picked up his first ATP World Tour title at the
Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca (d. Starace) in April, came into Stuttgart
on a four-match losing streak. He drops to a 18-16 season mark.
“He [played] the best match of the week,” stated Andujar. “I thought I had
a chance to beat him before going to the court, but after the first set I
started to get a bit nervous because he was not missing, he wasn’t making
long rallies, he was fighting every ball, and for me it was difficult. I didn
’t stay at that level, and finally he won.”
The 25-year-old Andujar - now 1-2 in ATP World Tour finals - picked up 150
South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings points, €36,250 and was gracious in
defeat. “I’m playing solid and I played a really good week for me. I lost
to a former World No. 1. It’s tough for me, but still I’m happy – happy
for him as well because I know he had a tough time [coming back from injury].
”