Stepanek triumphs

Published January 12, 2009

BRISBANE, Jan 11: Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic upset Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to claim the men’s singles title at the inaugural Brisbane International.

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.

MURRAY WINS QATAR OPEN

DOHA: Andy Murray shrugged off a back injury to tame Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2 and retain his title at the Qatar Open on Saturday.

The British third seed had hinted he might skip the final after struggling with a stiff back during his semi-final win over Roger Federer on Friday.

If American Roddick had been hoping for an easy ride to the title, his hopes were dashed in 70 brutal minutes.—Reuters

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