 Stakhovsky began 2008 by failing to qualify into several ATP and Challenger tournaments, before qualifying and reaching the quarterfinals of a major Challenger in Poland in February, losing to #68 Simone Bolelli.He then entered the qualifications of the Zagreb tournament, losing in the final round to Slovenian Blaž Kavčič, but due to Michaël Llodra's withdrawal, he entered the main draw as a lucky loser.He went on to win the tournament, defeating top players along the way, including #2 seed Ivo Karlović in the first round, #8 seed Janko Tipsarević in the quarterfinals, Simone Bolelli in the semifinals, and #1 seed Ivan Ljubičić in the final.