Stepanek Worms Way to ATP Brisbane Title

30-year-old Radek Stepanek is taking the fast track to becoming better known for his tennis than dating tennis-playing teenagers such as WTA star Nicole Vaidisova, on Sunday upsetting No. 3-seeded Spaniard Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 for the ATP Brisbane title.

Stepanek, nicknamed "The Worm" for his writhing, celebratory dances, won his final three matches by coming back from a set down in a three-day stretch.

"It's my third title and my first tournament of the new season," said The Worm. "I have the trophy, so I can't find the words right now. I'm very happy with the way I played this week; I fought from the first point to the last point in every match. Three times I came back from a set down. I played very good tennis and here is the reward for it."

Stepanek says fitness is his key to success for 2009, putting in a tough off-season training regiment in the Sunshine State in the U.S.

"Since then I have worked on my preparations for the new season in Florida, with Petr Korda and my conditioning coach," Stepanek said. "We've been working very hard for three-and-a-half weeks and I was feeling great coming here. For many years I haven't started the first tournament well, so I would like to thank the guys for preparing me."

The Worm also tallied impressive victories over Robin Soderling and Richard Gasquet during the week.

The Czech's odd net-rushing and box of off-speed tools including drop shots, slice and flat groundstroke drives kept Verdasco guessing in the second and third sets.

"The rhythm of his game, hitting drop shots, going to the net, made it really tough for me," the Spaniard said. "I didn't feel as good as other days in the week, but I tried as hard as I could and am happy with the way I played. It's the first tournament of the year, so it is tough. I played well this week and got good preparation for the Australian Open."

Verdasco, partnering with German Mischa Zverev, also lost the doubles final to the French duo of Marc Gicquel and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.