Veteran Czech Radek Stepanek claimed just the second title of his 12-year career when he upset second seed James Blake 7-6(7), 5-7 6-2 at the Countrywide Classic after saving three set points in the first set tie-break.
By winning the title Stepanek becomes the Week 1 leader of the US Open Series Lever 2000 Challenge. He had won just one of five ATP finals before his Los Angeles triumph. His first title came in Rotterdam last year.
