honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:06 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2009

Tennis: Stepanek rallies to win SAP Open

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Fourth-seeded Radek Stepanek won his second ATP title this year, rallying to beat fifth seed Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the SAP Open this afternoon.

A day after rallying from a set down to beat 2008 champion Andy Roddick in the semifinals, Stepanek was forced to do the same against Fish while becoming the first Czech player to win the San Jose event since Ivan Lendl in 1983.

Stepanek got some help from his 27-year-old American opponent. Fish lost 10 straight points during one stretch in the third set, nine by unforced error.

It's Stepanek's fourth career title. The 30-year-old also won in Brisbane in January.