Stepanek outlasts Ferrero in five-setter

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Radek Stepanek staged a remarkable comeback to reach the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time today beating former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero 5-7 6-7 6-4 6-2 11-9.

The Monte Carlo-based Czech, seeded 14, looked down and out after losing a second set tiebreak, but he hit back to level the match before edging an 84-minute decider.

Stepanek, who had fallen at the third round stage at seven previous grand slams, will play Fernado Verdasco, another Spaniard, in the fourth round.

Reuters HS VV2325