ATP Tour - Stepanek wins in Brisbane

Eurosport - Sun, 11 Jan 11:27:00 2009

Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic upset Spain's Fernando Verdasco 3-6 6-3 6-4 to claim the men's singles title at the inaugural Brisbane International.

TENNIS 2009 - Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic celebrates winning the Brisbane International - 0

Third seed Verdasco looked to have the edge after winning the first set but Stepanek, who had won his quarter-final and semi-final after being a set down, clawed back to win in three at the Pat Rafter Arena.

Stepanek, the eighth seed, cleverly changed his tactics after the first set, employing a series of drop shots to break up Verdasco's rhythm and the move paid off handsomely.

"I just played a few today. When I was young I played drop shots every second rally," Stepanek, ranked 26th in the world, said.

"It was part of the game-plan to get him out of the rhythm and to move him around the court - and it worked quite well.

"I have been destroying the rhythm of my opponents since I was a kid, and I'm still doing it today - but I'm more professional in many ways and that's the biggest difference."

The victory provided the 30-year-old Stepanek with only his third ATP title after wins at Rotterdam in 2006 and Los Angeles in 2007.

The 30-year-old has been on the professional circuit since 1996 but said he was only just starting to reach his peak after a neck injury in 2006 stalled his career.

"I had to start work from zero," he said. "Now it's been two years and I'm starting to feel again that I'm getting to the top physically."

Organisers of the Brisbane International hailed the tournament an instant success after more than 65,000 spectators attended the event, well ahead of the target of 50,000.

The tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the men's and women's professional tours, was formed by a merger of the now-defunct Australian men's and women's hardcourt championships held at Adelaide and Gold Coast.

"For a new tournament, always the first time is the worst (so) if this year is the worst, I cannot imagine next year," Verdasco said.

"This tournament is in my heart and I would like to win it."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 17 of 17

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  1. "Rc_alcock" Post 16 I'm perfectly fine­ thk you,but I'm afraid you're not,just a­ "bit" disturbed mentally,to be polite...I thk­ we got it,you hate the french,well,that's another­ big difference between you and me,I do appreciate my­ british neighbours.Stop putting in relief your great­ stupidity on this forum.Cheers!

    From Jeremy, on Tue 13 Jan 12:00PM

  2. jexbj Post 14
    You are such a wierdo.........

    From Nicholas, on Mon 12 Jan 9:35PM

  3. By the way,has Jan MICKAEL GAMBILL(usa)­ RETIRED???????????????????

    From Jeremy, on Mon 12 Jan 9:13AM

  4. Do you guys fancy Alizé Cornet(FRA)?She's a good­ player,isn't she?

    From Jeremy, on Mon 12 Jan 8:57AM

  5. nice for stepanek, but i was hoping that verdasco will­ win this. poor he. VAMOS VERDASCO!!!!!!!!

    From Ina01Masha, on Sun 11 Jan 8:35PM

  6. Regarding Wimbledon,do you think the installment of the­ roof will be ready for the next championship,and if­ so,aren't you afraid that it can benefit some­ players rather than others?Isn't it an­ "attack" to the "All England Club"­ traditions?

    From Jeremy, on Sun 11 Jan 7:47PM

  7. Some people have nothing to do with tennis here.Racists­ people should be leaving this forum at once.The­ "frog",RC_ALCOCK,thinks you're very­ pathetic...Paix à ton âme bouffon.../Do you guys think­ Roddick can go pretty far at the AO this year?

    From Jeremy, on Sun 11 Jan 7:13PM

  8. Radek is a great player. I have warmed him up. He may­ be a little eccentric but he knows how to play, man. He­ has beaten Federer! Don't insult him, man, and­ watch him go in Aus.

    From kev.pieterson, on Sun 11 Jan 3:35PM

  9. Is stepanek the czech word for arse? Is murray the­ scotch word likewise?

    From Oxonman, on Sun 11 Jan 3:24PM

  10. Post 5
    Careful Stepanek jexbj apparently is interested­ in "something special"between your....

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 2:55PM

  11. Allison Post 2
    Are you just a little jealous?
    Come on­ be honest............

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 2:28PM

  12. jexbj
    Wash your mouth out you frog eating low life!

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 2:23PM

  13. Stepanek must be a lovely guy for Vaidisova to love­ him,or perhaps he's got "something­ special" between his....lol

    From Jeremy, on Sun 11 Jan 1:23PM

  14. It's hard to beleive that Martina Hingis used to­ date Stepanek!He has a very pleasant game but to­ me,he's one of the ugliest players on the ATP­ tour.Martina has bad taste...

    From Jeremy, on Sun 11 Jan 1:11PM

  15. NO ME NO LIKE THE UGLY STEPANEK JUST HIS GAME­ OK.
    ALISON.

    From AJ, on Sun 11 Jan 12:53PM

  16. WELL I WANTED FERNANDO TO WIN BUT HEY WELL DONE­ STEPANEK AGED 30 YEARS NOT BAD FOR AN OLD ONE.
    WHAT IS­ NICOLE VAIDISOVA DOING GOING OUT WITH HIM WHEN SHE IS­ SO GOOD LOOKING SHE COULD HAVE ANY MAN.
    ALISON.

    From AJ, on Sun 11 Jan 11:58AM

  17. hey man stepanek tat your new fiance is getting lucky­ for you . wish u to be in the top ten this year at the­ age of 30 u play fantastice take care

    From fareed k, on Sun 11 Jan 10:28AM
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