Blake Bursts into Semifinals
© Getty Images By Bill Scott
Eighth-seeded American James Blake, who was last to qualify for Tennis Masters Cup, has become the first player to book a place in the semifinals.
Blake charged into the final four after defeating third-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 Wednesday to improve to 2-0 in the gold group. When Rafael Nadal soon after defeated fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo (match report) Blake was guaranteed to finish top of his group.
Even if Blake loses his final group match to Robredo, he will finish with a 2-1 record. The winner of Friday's group match between Nadal and Davydenko will finish with a 2-1 record and will also make the semifinals. (The loser will end 1-2 and will be eliminated.) Because Blake has a group win over both players, he is gauranteed to be declared the winner of his group, regardless of whether Nadal or Davydenko finishes with a 2-1 record.
Blake has made a sparkling debut at the eight-man circuit-ending event, stunning two-time French Open winner Nadal in his opening match on Monday and following up with his two-hour, seven-minute defeat of Davydenko.
The win was the fifth against the Russian without a loss for Blake. Davydenko came to the court holding a six-match win streak including his first career Masters Series trophy less than a fortnight ago in Paris.
The pair last played in January's Sydney semi-finals as Blake produced a trophy performance to start his year.
"I just try to keep my head focused, keep positive, see what happens at the end," Blake said after recovering from a set and a break down. "I kept myself in this match today, hung in when Nikolay was playing unbelievable tennis. Maybe [he] faltered just a little bit, thanks to me playing a lot better. And then I just got the momentum going at the end at the right time."
"I'm not ready for Shanghai physically," confessed Davydenko, who played almost every week of the ATP season until the autumn. "The tennis was good.
"I had good concentration, but only for one and a half sets.
That's not enough. You have to finish, to win two sets or three sets."
The American fired eight aces in the marathon at the Qi Zhong stadium, and converted on six of his 13 break point chances in the momentum-shifting thriller.
Blake produced 26 winners and 31 unforced errors. Davydenko, who played here for the first time a year ago and won all three of his group matches, dropped to 68-27 during a season in which he has lifted five titles, the same as fellow year-end contenders Blake and Nadal.
Watch ATP Masters Cup TV | Groups, Schedule & Results
Exclusive Audio
Hanley & Ullyett Qualify for Semifinals
|
