Stepanek brushes aside Rochus to clinch maiden title

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb 26: Radek Stepanek today thrashed Christophe Rochus 6-0 6-3 in 45 minutes in the Rotterdam World Tennis Tournament final to clinch his maiden title.

The 27-year-old Czech, who beat world number six Nikolay Davydenko in the semi-finals yesterday, outclassed the Belgian as he took the first set in 18 minutes and allowed his opponent only seven points.

Rochus, who had beaten the in-form Finn Jarkko Nieminen in his semi-final, fought back at the beginning of the second set but finally capitulated after dropping his serve in the eighth game.

Stepanek, who had previously lost finals in Paris (Masters Series), Milan and Ho Chi Minh City, took his first trophy with an excellent service game in the final. In the second set he hit eight straight aces.

Reuters