David Ferrer staged an improbable comeback to win his second ATP Tour title in Stuttgart on Sunday.

Teetering on the brink of defeat, the third-seeded Spaniard battled back from 5-1 down in the fourth set to seal a 6-4 3-6 6-7 (3/7) 7-5 6-4 triumph over Jose Acasuso in the final of the Mercedes Cup.

Ferrer's only previous career title came at Bucharest four years ago, when he also beat Acasuso in the final.

The fifth-seeded Argentinian had won their four subsequent meetings however, and appeared to have a fourth career ATP title wrapped up when he built a 5-1 advantage in the fourth set.

But the 24-year-old Ferrer refused to quit, winning six consecutive games to even the match at two sets apiece before claiming the decider to win the claycourt event.

Ferrer was playing in his first ATP final since the Valencia Open in April 2005.

Acasuso, 23, was aiming for his second title this year, having won at Vina del Mar in February.

end