By Robert Martin                                                Photo Credit Mark Howard

(August 6, 2011) On the same day that Robin Haase won his first career ATP Tour title, American Donald Young was attempting follow suit in making his first career final. Former World No. 8 Radek Stepanek had other plans, quickly dismissing Young 6-3, 6-3 to make his first final in 19 months.

The current World No. 54 has seen his ranking drop in the past year, but he has still remained a dangerous player that no seed enjoys drawing early on. Stepanek has shown exactly why this week, taking out Fernando Verdasco in the quarterfinals in straight sets before sending Young packing.

For the Czech player, it has been well over two years since his last title in San Jose, and his last trip to a final was an attempt to repeat at Brisbane in 2010.

Perhaps his largest hurdle to increasing his ranking has been his draws in the majors. This year he has fallen to John Isner in the second round, Richard Gasquet in the first, and pushed Fernando Verdasco to five sets in the first round at Wimbledon.

Against Young, he has little trouble on serve, winning 75 percent of points and saving both break points he faced. The sneaky Stepanek also fired three aces and won 69 percent of points when hitting a second serve.

On the other side of the court, Young had a more difficult time, dropping 42 percent of points on his own serve. Losing 20 of 48 points on serve, the American was only able to save one of four break opportunities.

Stepanek will move onto the final against the winner of Gael Monfils and Isner, who play later tonight.