Sixth-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek has defeated Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen in straight sets on Wednesday.
After a tight opening set, Stepanek broke free of Nieminen’s shackles to run away with the second set and the match 7-6(3) 6-2.
Throughout the first set Stepanek displayed his usual craftiness, mixing baseline power, drop shots and lobs with regular forays to the net, making life extremely difficult for his opponent.
His awkward playing style paid quick dividends when Stepanek broke Nieminen’s serve early on to take a 2-1 advantage.
Nieminen, however, showed why he was once ranked 13 in the world for men’s singles and broke back in Stepanek’s next service game to even the score at 2-2.
Both players traded serve until the score reached 5-5 when Stepanek gained three break-point chances, the first of which he took to lead 6-5.
Yet Nieminen refused to go away without a fight and history repeated itself when the left-hander broke back in the next game to force a tiebreak.
Ultimately, 33-year-old Stepanek, who was uncharacteristically fiery after a few calls by the umpire went against him, won the battle of nerves to claim the first set.
Soon after, Stepanek returned for the second set determined to not have to toil as hard as he did in the first to gain the ascendency.
His goal was achieved when he broke Nieminen in the second game then managed to hold his own serve to take a 3-0 lead.
A ruthless Stepanek then showed why he’s a chance to win his second Brisbane International title and broke Nieminen’s serve again before winning the second set.
Stepanek’s next opponent will be the winner of the fixture between Alexandr Dolgopolov and Igor Andreev on Wednesday afternoon.
In other news from today’s games, Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo beat 27-year-old German Philipp Petzschner in straight sets 6-4 6-4.