STUTTGART, Germany, July 18 (UPI) -- Defending champion David Ferrer was ousted in straight sets Wednesday in second-round play of the Mercedes Cup clay-court tournament in Germany.
Ferrer, seeded fourth this week, was dumped 7-5, 6-3 by Fernando Verdasco, who earned a quarterfinals slot against Juan Ignacio Chela.
Chela, the Mercedes Cup seventh seed, needed a third set to get by Boris Pashanski 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, and move into Friday's quarters.
Also advancing Wednesday were qualifier Jiri Vanek and Stanislas Wawrinka. Vanek won just one game in the first set before turning the match around for a 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win over Gael Monfils. Wawrinka had an easier time in the second round, winning 6-4, 6-1 over Marin Cilic.
The tournament's four other second-round matches are scheduled for Thursday with world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who won the Mercedes Cup two years ago, paired against Philipp Kohlschreiber in the marquee match.
