Miedler Stuttgart Quarter-Final Doubles Erler Injury

Erler out with elbow injury

"The duo defeated the Brazilians Marcelo Demoliner / Marcelo Melo 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 14:12," was the report on the opening-round victory of the Austrian-American pairing. A major hurdle now awaits in the quarter-finals: the top-seeded Brazilian-Australian duo Fernando Romboli / John-Patrick Smith (BRA/AUS) are the No. 2 seeds and go into the match as favorites.

Miedler will have to play the bulk of the grass-court season with changing partners. After Stuttgart, his schedule includes the tournaments in Halle, Mallorca and Wimbledon, with the Portuguese Francisco Cabral set to be at his side. Miedler had previously played with Cabral before the "reunification" with Erler, before the two established themselves as a regular doubles team.

Changing partners for Miedler

The grass-court season lasts around five weeks on grass and poses a particular challenge for doubles players, as the short balls and the low bounce of the ball demand quick reflexes and well-rehearsed patterns. Without his established partner, Miedler now has to develop new automatisms in a very short space of time.

The next joint appearance by Miedler and Erler is currently being targeted for the clay-court home tournament in Kitzbühel (starting 20 July). By then, the Tyrolean is expected to have completed his therapy and be fit again. If the healing process progresses more quickly, an earlier comeback cannot be ruled out.

Kitzbühel as the next joint target

Despite the adverse circumstances, the Lower Austrian is looking ahead to the coming weeks with confidence. The experience gained from previous partnerships – such as with Cabral – helps him to adapt quickly to new teammates. In Stuttgart, he already put in a solid performance with Kirkov against seasoned opponents.

For Erler, the break means a setback in a phase in which he had worked his way significantly up the doubles rankings. The injury to the tendon in his right elbow is particularly unfortunate for a doubles player, as it places equal strain on serve, volley and return. A return to court is not planned until the successful completion of his therapy.