atptennis.com
July 14, 2024

Radek Stepanek upset top seeded Rainer Schuettler 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2, his fourth victory in six meetings with the German. After a tight first set, which went to the German in a tie-break, Stepanek bounced back and secured victory by breaking Schuettler twice in the third set.

Teenager Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round after a difficult opening match against Martin Vassalo Arguello from Argentina.. In a lengthy battle, the 18-year-old youngster from Mallorca was able to seal victory 7-6(4), 6-4 in two hours and nine minutes. Ivo Karlovic put an end to 2000 MercedesCup winner Franco Squillari's hopes for another Stuttgart title. The 2.08m Croatian closed out the match by playing a flawless tie-break, winning the encounter 6-3, 7-6(0).

No. 12 seed Albert Costa defeated countryman Felix Mantilla in their thirteenth career meeting, winning in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:

Stepanek: �This is a perfect start to the tournament for me. I had one more match in my legs and I think that was to my advantage today. It was Rainer's first match of the tournament. It's always tough to play Rainer, he is fighting all the time. It was very important for me to break him in the first set and turn the match to my advantage. I played him many times so I knew what I had to do on court and it worked again today.�

About playing Ivo Karlovic in the next round: �I'm confident but you never know what comes with Ivo. He can serve 50 aces a match and you don't have a chance. But last week I played Rosset, who plays the same game like Karlovic. I'm going to prepare well for the match and try my best.�

Schuettler: �I had a some chances in the second set after having won the first set having several break points.

�After the first set I tried to put more pressure on him but he was serving very well. I let the match slip away from me and that shouldn't happen. I've lost three times in a row to him in the past, he's an awkward player for me to play.�

�I played great last week in Gstaad and I was hoping to build on that form this week but this was definitely not the case today.�

Youzhny: �He [Popp] is a good played, serving very well. He didn't do too many mistakes.

�I have good memories from here in Stuttgart. But I'm a little bit tired of playing Germans all the time� I will try to play a little bit better than I did today in my next match.�

Nadal: �I've had a very difficult match today. I don't think I played my best level, I made some mistakes in important moments. I was also not aggressive enough on some important points, but I'm happy that I won and have the opportunity play tomorrow.

About playing Chela in the next round: �It will be tough. He is one of the player on good form at the moment so I know it will be difficult.�