Ferrero Lifts 16th Tour-Level Trophy

© MercedesCup/Paul ZimmerPablo Andujar (left) and Juan Carlos Ferrero sit on the bonnet a brand new white Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY Roadster, which Ferrero presented to his father Eduardo.

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 Pablo 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.”

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].”