Radek Stepanek Sees Off Isner

Radek Stepanek's good run of form continued in Cincinnati yesterday as he saw off John Isner in a great three set encounter between the pair.

Stepanek was triumphant in Washington a couple of weeks ago, beating Gael Monfils in the final, while Isner has won in Newport recently - both have been showing some good form.

The first serve saw Isner dominate on serve as Radek struggled to get a handle on it, he too was serving confidently.

With Stepanek ahead 6-5 it looked like we were heading for a tie break when a weak game from Isner cost him the opening set as Stepanek finally found a way through to take it 7-5.

Into the second and Isner's serve did continue to wobble but he managed to hold himself together and keep the set on a level pegging.

But then Stepanek did exactly what Isner had done a set ago and threw in a poor service game that cost him a break and the set.

Taking it 5-7 Isner had forced a third and deciding set. It may not have been the highest quality set but it was an intriguing match as the momentum kept swing back and forth between the two men.

There was to be no breaks in the third set, although Stepanek did put himself under some pressure in the tenth game when he served up three double faults.

But Isner was unable to take advantage and the pair were locked together at 6-6 a tie break was required to decide the match.

Despite the big serve Isner was unable to make it count and it was Stepanek who came through the breaker to wrap up a 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-4) victory.

Stepanek will now face Andrey Golubev in the next round as he came through against Stanislas Wawrinka in three sets.

The Swiss number two took the opening set before Golubev battled back - he was the first to break in the second but was unable to hold onto the advantage.

But as Wawrinka's serve began to struggle Golubev took full advantage as he broke again to get the match on level terms.

Wawrinka only managed to get a single game in that final set as Golubev dominated to wrap up a 3-6 6-4- 6-1 victory.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw