Youth has prevailed over experience in a clash of guile and finesse with Alexandr Dolgopolov cutting inaugural Brisbane champion Radek Stepanek down to size in three sets.
The talented Ukrainian shrugged off any concerns of his recovery after a marathon second-round win to beat the crafty Stepanek at his own game, 4-6 6-3 6-3, before a record Thursday night crowd of more than 5000 people.
Ten years Stepanek’s junior, the third-seeded Dolgopolov dropped the first set 6-4 despite whipping 17 winners to the Czech’s seven and thumping down six aces to one.
After falling behind an early break in the second set, Dolgopolov sprung into action breaking twice to take a 5-2 lead.
Consistently sending down first serves at more than 200 kmh, Dolgopolov followed a booming serve in to put away a brilliant touch volley and level proceedings at a set apiece.
After an injury time-out for an apparent knee complaint, Stepanek dropped serve but was not about to go quietly.
Always with a trick up his sleeve, the wily Czech waved his arms to whip the crowd into a frenzy as he broke to level at 3-3.
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His change in fortune though would not last with Dolgoplov breaking for 4-3 and winning a searching battle of the slice to close to within a game of the finish line.
Even down match point on serve, Stepanek toyed with a section of the crowd, challenging them to make their support for Dolgopolov louder.
It did little to distract the Ukrainian who closed the match out and booked a semifinal showdown with French second seed Giles Simon on Saturday.
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