American Jim Courier rallied to beat Marc Rosset on Tuesday and move into the second round of the Eurocard Open in Stuttcart, Germany.

The former world No. 1, who took a month off after the U.S. Open to heal an injured ankle, won the match 4-6, 7-6(8-6), 6-2.

The 29-year-old Courier, now ranked No. 41, also paid tribute to Payne Stewart, the golfer who died in an airplane accident Monday and with whom Courier was acquainted. Stewart was on the U. S. Ryder Cup team.

"I'm very saddened for the loss, not only for Payne's family, but also for his agents and family. It's a tragedy when something like that happens," Courier was quoted as saying.

Seventh-seeded Nicolas Kiefer had to quit when he twisted his left ankle in the first set against Andrei Pavel in a second-round match.

And Magnus Larsson dropped out with a back injury, allowing fifth-seeded Greg Rusedski to advance to the third round.

Kiefer was serving for the set at 5-3 when he slipped on the carpet surface. His ankle heavily taped, Kiefer played three more games and lost them all before giving up.

He was taken to a hospital for a detailed examination. Kiefer is one of the players trying to qualify for the season-ending ATP Tour World Championship in Hanover next month that brings together the top eight players of the year.

Apart from Pete Sampras, Patrick Rafter and Carlos Moya, who are injured, all other top ranked players are playing the Stuttgart tournament.

All seeded players had byes into the second round.

The only two players who have qualified for Hanover are top-ranked Andre Agassi and No. 2 Yevgeny Kafelnikov.