LONDON, June 11 (UPI) -- Second-seeded Andy Roddick slipped past No. 4 Radek Stepanek of Czechoslovakia Saturday, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Stella Artois Championships in London.
The two-time defending champion will play Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in Sunday's title match, when the hard-hitting but inconsistent American goes after his third straight win at the pre-Wimbledon event at the Queens club.
Karlovic, who stands a towering 6-foot 10-inches tall, beat No. 6 Thomas Johansson of Sweden, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) in the other semi-final.
The winner's check in the event is $98,810. Only Lleyton Hewitt and John McEnroe have won the tourney three years in a row.
In 2003 and 2004, Roddick mastered Sebastien Grosjean of Spain to earn the title. The former world No. 1 was runner-up at Wimbledon last year.
