Skip to main content

Stepanek beats Verdasco to Brisbane title

  • Story Highlights
  • Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic wins inaugural Brisbane International
  • Eighth seed beats third ranked Fernando Verdasco of Spain in three sets
  • Marin Cilic of Croatia wins ATP tournament in Chennai, India
  • Next Article in World Sport »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

(CNN) -- Radek Stepanek claimed the men's title at the inaugural Brisbane International tournament by upsetting Fernando Verdasco of Spain in a three-set final on Sunday.

An inspired Stepanek was claiming his third career ATP Tour title.

An inspired Stepanek was claiming his third career ATP Tour title.

It was the third straight win for the eighth seed Stepanek against a higher-ranked opponent and once again the Czech came from a set down to win 3 6 6-3 6-4 in the Pat Rafter Arena.

"I do that always ... well I did it for the third time, when I win a tournament," Stepanek was quoted on the tournament Web site having wrapped up his third ATP career title.

"I'm very happy the way I played this week. I was fighting from the first to the very last point each match."

Stepanek, who had beaten Robin Soderling and Richard Gasquet in his two previous matches, broke twice in the deciding set and although third seed Verdasco retrieved one break he could not repeat and lost in two hours and 15 minutes.

The tournament lost its star attraction at the start of the week when top seed and defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was beaten in the first round and the upsets continued to the end.

Victoria Azarenka of the Belarus won the women's title on Saturday, the second seed beating former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France 6-3 6-1.

In other pre-Australian Open action, third-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia won his second ATP Tour title as he beat qualifier Somdev Devvarman of India 6-4 7-6 in the final of the Chennai Open on Sunday.

Top seed Nikolay Davydenko was forced to withdraw from the tournament in India with the heel injury which will force him out of the opening grand slam.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print