Skip to content

AEGON Championships: Radek Stepanek into semis as Tomas Berdych crashes out

Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic reacts in his match against Andy Murray of Great Britain
Image: Radek Stepanek: Came from a set down to win through to the semis

Radek Stepanek followed up his win over Andy Murray by coming from a set down to beat Kevin Anderson at the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club.

The Czech was second best through the first set, losing it 6-1, before fighting back to take a closely contested second set thanks to a solitary break.

From then on there was only one winner with Stepanek breaking his South African opponent early in the decider and was dominant from there on in, gaining the extra security of a second break to lead along the way.

He wrapped up a 1-6 6-3 6-2 win in one hour and 37 minutes and will now play Spain's Feliciano Lopez, as he looks to provide another shock by reaching the final.

Lopez reached the last four with an impressive straight sets victory over the second seed Tomas Berdych, 6-4 7-6 (9/7).

There was little to choose between the pair in the first set and a single break, taken at the fourth attempt, was enough for Lopez to edge it.

The match continued in the same vein in the second with just one break point in the set and with Berdych unable to convert it, a tiebreak was needed.

More from Wta Aegon Classic

The Czech seemed to have gained the advantage a number of times in the breaker, even earning a set point, but Lopez dug in and took his opportunity when it came to clinch the tiebreak and the match.

Wawrinka through

Top seed Stan Wawrinka denied Marinko Matosevic a third Queen's upset, seeing off the outspoken Australian 7-5 6-3.

Matosevic has been in hot water this week for sticking by comments that he "doesn't think that highly of the women's game", referencing Murray appointing new coach Amelie Mauresmo.

Swiss world No 3 Wawrinka refused to go the same way as seeds Marin Cilic and Tsonga however, easing through to face Grigor Dimitrov in the last four.

The Bulgarian fourth seed progressed via a walkover after Alexandr Dolgopolov withdrew with thigh trouble.

Around Sky