Stepanek advances to Rotterdam final

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Radek Stepanek beat world No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in Saturday's semifinals at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

"I turned the match in the second set and even when I was 3-1 down in the third I felt in control," Stepanek said.

In Sunday's championship, Stepanek faces Christophe Rochus, who beat Jarkko Nieminen, 6-4, 6-3, in the other semifinal.

"It's going to be a tough final, but I am prepared for it," Stepanek added.

Both Stepanek, the tournament's sixth-seed, and Rochus will be after their first ATP singles title. The winner pockets $175,000.

The 27-year-old Stepanek has lost three previous finals. Rochus lost his only final appearance at Valencia in 2003.