Ferrer keeps title defense alive at Japan Open

Oct 1, 2008 - 9:01 AM TOKYO (Ticker) -- David Ferrer's title defense at the Japan Open is off to an unspectacular start.

The top-seeded Ferrer needed three sets to overcome unseeded American Jesse Levine, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, at the $869,000 hardcourt event in one of 16 second-round matches slated for Wednesday.

The world No. 5, Ferrer has endured a rough stretch of late, failing to advance past the third round in any of his last five tournaments. The Spaniard's recent slide includes a first-round exit at the Beijing Olympics, a third-round loss at the U.S. Open and an upset to then-92nd ranked Dudi Sela of Israel in his first match in Beijing last week.

Ferrer appeared to be on the rebound in the first set against Levine, the world No. 101, but fell apart in the second set as the American evened the match. Ferrer pulled it together in the third set, winning 88 percent of his first-serve points (15-of-17) and two of three break points to advance to the third round in one hour, 47 minutes.

The 26-year-old defending champion next will face either Japan's Takao Suzuki, who forged a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) upset of 15th-seeded Italian Simone Bolelli.

Seventh-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also needed three sets to book a place in the third round.

The Frenchman, who won his first career title in Bangkok last week, rallied for a 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 victory over American Bobby Reynolds. He advanced to face Serb Viktor Troicki - a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Wayne Odesnik of the United States.

In Tsonga's half of the draw, Spaniard Tommy Robredo, the sixth seed, and No. 9 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic both won to set up a third-round matchup.

Jarkko Nieminen, the 11th seed, moved on with a hard-fought 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory against qualifier Cecil Mamiit of the Philippines.

German Rainer Schuettler, the 12th seed, and No. 14 seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria also advanced to the third round.

Schuettler was pushed to the brink before claiming a 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 win against Hyung-Taik Lee of Korea while Melzer cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Germany's Simon Stadler.

Schuettler awaits eighth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny after the Russian claimed a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Spain's Ivan Navarro during their second-round match.

Japan's Kei Nishikori, who upset 16th seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, and American Amer Delic - a straight sets winner over No. 13 seed compatriot Sam Querrey - also advanced on Wednesday.

First prize is $135,000.