Radek Stepanek dismisses Gael Monfils to claim title – Legg Mason Tennis Classic 2011
Veteran Radek Stepanek, a former top ten player, clinched his fifth title as he upset top seed Gael Monfils of France in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington on Sunday. The Czech took
an hour and 33 minutes to beat his opponent in a one-sided match.
Stepanek played attacking game and dominated the match from its beginning. The Czech broke Monfils in the third game of the first set and won his next service game to grab a 3-1 lead. Monfils and Stepanek held their serve in the
next six games to take the score at 5-3 in the latter’s favour. At 5-4, Stepanek comfortably held his serve to win the set 6-4.
Although, the Czech had a low first serve percentage as he delivered a meagre 30 percent of the first serves in the opening set. He had a decent conversion rate, winning seven of the nine points on the first serve. On the other
hand, Monfils served a higher percentage of first deliveries but the Frenchman had a poor second service performance as he committed a horrible four double faults and won just four of the ten second service points in the first set.
Stepanek took the lead straightaway in the second set as he broke Monfils in the opening game and consolidated on it to go up 2-0. The Czech did not allow the French to break back and maintained his lead throughout the set, serving
it out at 5-4.
The 32-year-old did not lose even a single point on his first serve, grabbing all the twelve first service points in the second set. Stepanek did not face any break point and capitalised on the one break point opportunity he created
on Monfils’ serve in the second set.
This is Stepanek’s fifth title in his fifteen year career so far. The Czech turned pro in 1996.
The Karvina resident said, talking to the media after the match, “It’s my biggest win in my career so far and it’s coming in the later stage of my career, so it means so much to me that I’m capable even in this age to play such
great tennis, beating the guys from the Top 10 and winning the title. It’s really an amazing feeling.”
The six feet and one inch tall added, “I wanted to be in control of the match, be the boss on the court, the one who is deciding what’s going on. I was trying to come to the net because that was my game plan to be aggressive, put
as many returns to the court as much as I can, and when I have the chance to attack.”
Stepanek, who entered the tournament as 54th ranked player in the world, has jumped 27 places in the South African Airways ATP Rankings to reach the 27th spot. The Czech earned $264,000 in prize money and
500 Rankings Points by winning the title.
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