Brisbane International 2009 men’s champion and 2010 finalist Radek Stepanek has ejected another seed from the Brisbane ATP/WTA event, with a 6-3 6-1 win over Mardy Fish.
Fish, the fourth seed here, was the favourite on paper but Stepanek used every shot at his disposal to make Fish’s time on court as uncomfortable as possible.
The match got off to a late start after rain invaded the covered Pat Rafter Arena. Gaps in the walls for airflow allowed the rain in, which found its way to the court interrupting the players’ warm-up.
But when play began it was Stepanek, not Fish who was less affected by the rain delay.
Stepanek, who has lost just one match at Pat Rafter Arena in three years, will now face seventh-seeded German Florian Mayer in the quarterfinals.