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Updated at 4:49 a.m., Sunday, January 11, 2009

Tennis: Stepanek beats Verdasco for Brisbane title

Associated Press

BRISBANE, Australia — Radek Stepanek came from a set down for a third straight match to beat Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Sunday for the Brisbane International title.

The eighth-seeded Stepanek claimed his third ATP career title and first since Los Angeles in 2007 in 2 hours, 13 minutes. He celebrated his win with a comical attempt at on-court break dancing before a capacity crowd of 5,500 at Pat Rafter Arena.

The third-seeded Verdasco, attempting to win his first title on a hard court, started off strongly. But Stepanek overcame early serving problems and then mixed up an array of deft drop shots and big forehands.

As he did in the quarterfinals against Robin Soderling and semifinal against Richard Gasquet, Stepanek won after losing the first set.

More than 65,000 spectators attended the first Brisbane International over eight days, well ahead of the initial target of 50,000, tournament officials said Sunday.

The joint ATP-WTA tournament replaced the smaller men's ATP event in Adelaide and women's WTA event on the Gold Coast.

Victoria Azarenka won the women's title on Saturday, beating Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-1.