Stepanek and Monfils to meet in semifinals

Stepanek, seeded second this week, took control of the match in a first-set tiebreaker en route to a 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 victory over Wayne Odesnik.

Odesnik broke Stepanek's serve to take a 5-4 lead in the first set but Stepanek broke back and both players held serve to move into the tiebreaker.

Stepanek took over then, losing only two points and those on double faults.

It was all Stepanek in the second set.

James Blake won the first set in his quarterfinal but Monfils powered his way back for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win. Monfils had 13 aces, with seven coming in the second set when he evened the match. Blake forced Monfils into nine break-point situations but was able to win just two of them.

Stepanek and Monfils will square off in one semifinal Saturday. The players for the second semi will be determined Friday when No. 1-seeded Andy Roddick plays Richard Gasquet and fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych goes against No. 8-seeded Thomaz Bellucci.

The tournament title match is scheduled for Sunday. The Brisbane International championship is worth $63,800.

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