05.06.2010 12:35:36 | The final duel Hajek – Stepanek was over earlier than expected. After 26 minutes, at the score 0:6, Radek Stepanek shook the hand of his opponent and quit the match … he had been delivering a good performance throughout the whole tournament, bravely fought with all his opponents but the final his body said: "No!"
After the semi-finals against Golubev, Stepanek said: "I am moving forwards step by step, every successful match is a motivation for me, but I cannot make big plans so far, I have to be very patient." It was clear from the very beginning that Radek wasn’t quite OK. Hajek took the lead quickly and Stepanek soon recognized he had no chance. At the closing ceremony Hajek wished Stepanek quick recovery and good health.
What Hajek said at the final press conference? "Of course, I am happy about the victory but I am also very sorry Radek couldn’t finish the match due to health complications. But it is only a sport and I believe he will be OK soon. I found out quite soon he wasn’t very well today, it seemed he had something wrong with his leg or some other problem."
