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Radek Stepanek |
Stepanek Upsets Blake in
CountryWide Classic Final
Los Angeles -
Czech's Radek Stepanek upset the No. 2 seed James Blake 7-6(7),
5-7, 6-2 to win his first Countrywide Classic on Sunday at the
Los Angeles Tennis Center.
The 28-year-old Stepanek saved three set points in the first set
against Blake to get the early advantage, but Blake would rally
back to even the match. At 2-1 in the third set and after
Stepanek took a medical timeout to receive treatment for pain in
his hamstring, Blake could not manage to hold serve, giving away
the break that eventual lost him the match.
"He moved into the net very well and volleyed very well," Blake
said. "My game plan was to try and take the net away and make
him come up with passing shots."
Stepanek broke Blake twice in the final set, including the
pivotal last game of the match.
Matt Osias can be reached at
mosias@californiatennis.com
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