Blake Sweeps Past Nalbandian into Final
© Getty Images By Bill Scott
James Blake buried his outsider status as the last man to qualify into the eight-strong Tennis Masters Cup as he reached a surprise final against Roger Federer with a 6-4, 6-1 upset of holder David Nalbandian on Saturday. By winning the semifinal Blake jumped to No. 4 from No. 7 in the INDESIT ATP Race and is now guaranteed to finish the season at a career-high ranking of No. 4.
The defeat left Nalbandian leaving China with just one match win a year after his triumph for the 2005 title over Federer.
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Unassuming American Blake, whose career has blossomed this season with five ATP titles, will take a 0-5 record into his Sunday showdown with the Swiss No. 1.
Blake became only the second player after Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean to reach the Masters Cup final on his debut. Blake showed that he cannot be taken for granted as he thoroughly buried the Argentine in 67 minutes with 32 winners, breaking five times.
The 27-year-old American defeated Nalbandian in the pair's first career meeting to run his record in 2006 to 43 wins, 18 defeats. Blake himself stands at a career-best 59-24.
Blake made his move in the first set in the final game, with Nalbandian saving a set point with a drop shot before Blake lifted the set after 41 minutes.
The second was even more severe, with Blake dominating to lift victory in a final game which included an ace and a double-fault. The American fired over a service winner to earn the victory.
Nalbandian's luck finally ran out in the semifinal after he had benefited from sets won percentage to qualify into the final four from a 1-2 group record this week.
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