Blake Fails Final Group Test; Advances to Nalbandian SF
© Getty Images By Bill Scott
James Blake (audio) failed a late test as he tuned up for Saturday's Tennis Masters Cup semi-final against David Nalbandian, going down 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to inspired opponent Tommy Robredo (pictured) in Gold group play.
The win earned Spain a victory double on the day after Rafael Nadal also advanced to set the stage for an appetizing closing weekend of action at the Qi Zhong stadium.
In the other semi, Roger Federer and Nadal will meet for the sixth time this season and first since their Wimbledon final won by the Swiss No. 1 (Saturday Preview).
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Blake has been the surprise packet of the week on his first trip to the elite circuit finale.
© Getty Images The 27-year-old with a record-levelling five titles along with Nadal and Russian No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko was the first man into the final four and waited for the rest of the pack to join him.
Robredo was already out of the competition but was playing for pride after Nadal's win over Davydenko earlier in the evening. The feisty winner struck 10 aces and 31 winners for victory in two hours, four minutes.
Robredo claimed his second win in five meetings with Blake after the American saved a match point.
The Spaniard served for victory leading 5-3 but lost the game in a flurry of nerves. Blake drew closer but was unable to close the gap into a tiebreaker, sending a return wide to lose.
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