Stepanek upsets Blake to win Los Angeles Classic

LOS ANGELES, July 23 (Reuters) Unseeded Czech Radek Stepanek upset tournament favourite James Blake 7-6 5-7 6-2 to clinch his second ATP title at the Los Angeles Classic.

The 28-year-old from Karvina, playing on his favourite hardcourt surface, broke the second-seeded American twice in the final set yesterday to seal victory in two hours 20 minutes.

Out of action for six months last year because of a neck injury, the Czech won his only other title in Rotterdam last year.

Stepanek gained a walkover into the final when German wildcard Nicolas Kiefer withdrew before their semi-final on Saturday because of a knee injury.

REUTERS DKS PM0512