Brisbane, Australia - Czech Radek Stepanek completed his third great escape in as many matches to win the inaugural edition of the Brisbane International 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 over third seed Fernando Verdasco on Sunday. The 30-year-old, playing his eighth career final, won his third trophy as he frustrated Spain's Davis Cup finals hero of little more than a month ago over Argentina.
Stepanek engaged in his celebratory "worm dance" as he undulated spread eagle on the court after losing a first set but recovering in third straight match in Queensland this week.
The 26th-ranked Czech said he couldn't have gotten a better takeoff for the season.
"It's a quick start for me this year. It's an incredible feeling to be holding a trophy in first week of new season.
"My conditioning coach had a baby 10 days ago and I promised him I'd bring back a trophy from Australia. Now I have."
Stepanek took the win on his second match point after netting forehand on the first.
Verdasco vowed to return next year after his disappointment.
"Radek played a great tournament. I felt so good today and he managed to play even better than me."
