Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final on Sunday.
A-Rod overcomes wobble to claim 28th career title
Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final on Sunday.
The world number seven was forced to dig deep after relinquishing a 5-1 second set lead before finally beating the Czech 7-6 7-6 at the Pat Rafter Arena.
The American's hard-earned win was his 28th career title and his first success Down Under since he won the Australian Open junior title a decade ago.
Everything looked to be going smoothly for Roddick, playing his first tournament since a knee injury cut short his 2009 season last September.
He won the opening set in a tiebreak after all games had gone with serve and opened up a commanding 5-1 lead in the second before he suddenly got the wobbles.
He twice failed to serve out the match as Stepanek forced a second tiebreak then faltered again as he neared the finish line.
Special
Roddick made a great start and built a 6-1 lead to open up five match points, but he blew the lot before eventually winning 9-7.
"It was weird. I don't think I have squandered a lead where I have been putting in first serves and making approach shots," Roddick said.
"And in the breakers it was the same deal. I kept making first serves so that was helping me hold on to the last shred of sanity I had.
"But at the end of the day the only thing that will be remembered is the 'w' (win)."
Stepanek, who won the inaugural Brisbane title 12 months ago, was also buoyed his performance over the week.
"I never gave up. I was fighting until the last point," he said.
"I said to myself 'you are in Brisbane, you won here last year, there is something special here', but in the end it wasn't good enough.
"(But) back to back finals - it has been a magic place for me here. I will be coming into the Australian Open with only positives."
