"It feels good to be playing with Yoni again, especially in Israel," Ram says.
By ALLON SINAIRam Erlich champs 224.88(photo credit: AP)
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich teamed up for the first time in competition play since last August on Wednesday, defeating Amir Hadad and Simon Stadler, 4-6, 6-1, 10-8, in the first round of the Ramat Hasharon Challenger tournament.
Ram and Erlich hadn't played together since last year's US Open, with Erlich going through a long recovery process following elbow surgery.
"It's exciting to play with Andy after so long," Erlich said. "I'm hungrier and in better physical shape than I expected to be. In the next few weeks I will play with another partner until I regain full fitness. Oncethat happens, Andy and I will get back to playing together on tour on a permanent basis."
"It feels good to be playing with Yoni again, especially in Israel," Ram said.
In other action, Dudi Sela (59 in the world) advanced to the quarterfinals of the singles tournament at Ramat Hasharon on Wednesday, beating Brydan Klein, 6-3, 7-5.
The No. 1 seed will next face Benjamin Becker, who defeated George Bastl, 6-2, 6-0.
Harel Levy (world No. 250) progressed to the last eight without hitting a ball after Indian Prakash Amritraj retired ahead of their second round match.
In a women's event overseas, Shahar Pe'er defeated Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Estoril Open in Portugal.
The 22-year-old, who is ranked No. 54 in the world, dropped the first four games against Strycova (76), but claimed 12 of the next 13 on her way to the last eight.
Pe'er next faces Jarmila Groth (73), who surprised No. 1 seed Iveta Benesova in the second round.
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