Verdasco, Stepanek reach Brisbane final

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Spain's third-seeded Fernando Verdasco and Czech Radek Stepanek were semifinal victors Saturday in Australia's Brisbane International

Verdasco, seeking his third ATP singles title, whipped France's Paul-Henri Mathier 6-2, 6-2.

Stepanek, seeded No. 8, fell behind another Frenchman, Richard Gasquet, but rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 decision.

The Czech player is also trying for his third title on tour. He has a 2-0 record against Verdasco.