Czech Radek Stepanek banished memories of a nightmare end to last year by upsetting James Blake 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 in the final of the Los Angeles Classic on Sunday.
The 28-year-old from Karvina broke the second-seeded American twice in the third set to seal victory in two hours 20 minutes at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
Despite taking a medical timeout late in the match to have treatment on his left hamstring, Stepanek outplayed his more powerful opponent with guile and impressive speed about the court.
Out of action for six months last year because of a neck injury that he felt might curtail his career, the unseeded Czech celebrated his second ATP title in exuberant fashion.
He performed a break dance in front of the crowd before throwing his racket into the stands and falling to the ground.
"I don't know what I did, I just couldn't believe that I was able to win it," a beaming Stepanek told reporters. "I felt a release in the body and then I just fell down.
"It is an incredible feeling. At one point, I was scared I was not going to play tennis any more. But I came back and I can't complain today.
