Spanish Davis Cup hero Fernando Verdasco will face Czech Radek Stepanek in the men's singles final at the Brisbane international after the pair won their semi-finals against French opponents on Saturday.
Third-seed Verdasco beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2 6-1 before eighth-seed Stepanek came from behind to beat Richard Gasquet 2-6 6-2 6-4.
‘I think the whole match, even when I lost the first one, was played to a high quality, it was a very tough match," Stepanek said.
‘I think I was the one who was more active in the last two sets -- I was more aggressive. I tried to finish the points and I think that was the difference between us today."
Verdasco was untroubled beating Mathieu in just 78 minutes, winning 11 games in a row after trailing 2-0 early in the first set, despite having his concentration momentarily broken by a female fan who asked him to marry her.
‘I just told her that it is not the moment right now,’ he joked. ‘I am focusing on tennis. Maybe if I get married it is worse (distraction). I told her that I need time.’
Verdasco has lost his two previous matches to Stepanek but said he was better prepared this time.
‘I know his way of play, he knows that. But I have confidence that I can win,’ Verdasco said.
Stepanek said he was also confident despite being wary of Verdasco's improvement in recent seasons.
‘Definitely I would like to destroy his rhythm,’ Stepanek said. ‘He keeps improving but I am doing the same thing.
‘It is a great feeling winning four matches at the start of the year in the first tournament and I am definitely full of confidence and happy with the way I am playing.’
Marion Bartoli of France was scheduled to meet Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in Saturday night's women's singles final at the Pat Rafter Arena.
The men's final will be played on Sunday.
Verdasco to meet Stepanek in final
