"Landep News"
Blake struggles through in Atlanta
The 31-year-old Blake conceded 17 aces from the world number 81 Latvian who was unable to take advantage of his remarkable service playing, allowing the American to win the breaker in the second set at five and the second one quite easily. Gulbis had a 60 first serve percentage, compared to Blake who finished the game with a 49 efficiency on first serve. James, who hit eight aces, built himself nine break-point chances, but only managed to convert three. The Latvian had the victory in his hands much of the time, creating 20 break-point opportunities. Unfortunately, his poor tennis allowed him to convert just three of them.
The game thus was a very tight one as Blake won just five more points than his opponent who also committed five double faults. The win over the Latvian marks Blake’s first victory since April, but will have much harder times against conational John Isner who is in great shape, as well, and who is following at the same time a great week in Newport where he won his first title of the season.
The 26-year-old Isner looks confident with the Atlanta event and claimed that he is about to show his best tennis. “I’ve always been a late bloomer in everything I’ve done; I still think my best tennis is 2-3 years ahead of me because I don’t really have the miles on me that a lot of guys here have since they were 18. I take care of myself really well, being so big it’s something I’ve just gotta do,” he added.
The same day, Somdev Devvarman needed three sets and two hours and a half to get rid of another crowd favorite Ryan Sweeting whom the Indian, who is seeded eighth in Atlanta, ousted 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Next up for Devvarman is Japanese Tatsuma Ito who follows his first ATP World Tour success. He stunned Michael Berrer in two sets, 7-6, 6-4 in the opening day and is to improve his debut in the big circuit.
Michael Russell won the all-American meeting with Donald Young whom he eliminated in just over an hour, 6-0, 6-3 to meet second favorite Kevin Anderson in the second term, who has been favored by a BYE in the first round. Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller has also provided a tiny surprise in United States as he eliminated host Alex Bogomolov Jr. 6-3, 7-6 in the opening day to meet either Tommy Haas of Germany or Robby Ginepri in the next phase.
Top seed Mardy Fish, who is chasing his first season title, is to face the winner between Richard Berankis and Nicolas Mahut. Xavier Malisse of Belgium is also favored by a BYE in the first term, being expected to play either Japan’s Yuichi Sugita or Ryan Harrison. On the same first half of the draw, Lleyton Hewitt will meet the winner between Rajeev Ram and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the second round.
Igor Kunitsyn and Marinko Matosevic will also fight for a second round berth, while Yen Hsun Lu will make his debut against Matthias Bachinger of Germany.
Atlanta Prize Money and points:
Winner – $96,800 and 250 points ATP
Runner-up – $50,900 and 150 points ATP
Semi finalist – $27,600 and 90 points ATP
Quarter finalist – $15,730 and 45 points ATP
R16 – $9,265 and 20 points ATP
R32 – $5,500 and zero points
Thank's for link:
0 Response to "Blake struggles through in Atlanta"
Post a Comment