Country Wide Classic July 16 - 22, 2007 - Day 7
By Matt Osias
Stepanek Upsets Blake in Country Wide 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
Los Angeles Tennis Center – UCLA Singles Draw Doubles Draw Photo Gallery
Results – Sunday, July 22, 2007
Mens Singles – Final
R Stepanek (CZE) d [2] J Blake (USA) 76(7) 57 62
Mens Doubles – Final
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d S Lipsky (USA) / D Martin (USA) 76(5) 62
Radek Stepanek
