Jason HeimTennis: James Blake Defeats Frank Dancevic At Australian Open
January 21st 2009 15:24
Category: Tennis
American James Blake overcame unexpected resistance from Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic to reach the Australian Open's second round on Tuesday. The world No 10 was broken in all three sets but came roaring back each time to win 6-4 6-3 7-5 in just under two hours.
“You can't get a much more exciting three-setter,'' Blake said.
“It was a little too exciting but he played some great tennis.''
Blake, who has never lost his first match in eight appearances at the Australian Open, made last year's quarter-finals but is still looking for his maiden grand slam win.
In cool and windy evening conditions, the 29-year-old New Yorker peppered Dancevic with aggressive ground strokes and some dazzling winners.
Blake lobbed Dancevic to break back in the second and dropped a cute backhand behind the net as he went ahead, finishing the set with an ace.
But Dancevic replied with similar aggression in the third set, breaking back and conjuring six more break points as he tested the American to the limit.
However, Blake got the crucial break for 6-5 and sealed it when Dancevic put a backhand just wide on the first match-point.
“He was keeping me on edge, I had to come up with some great serves and he let me off the hook with some of those break-points,'' Blake said.
“He had nothing to lose and that can be really dangerous. I tried to think that and just ride the storm. I was able to do that and put a few winners away.''
Blake has reached three grand slam quarter-finals and won 10 ATP tournaments in a career interrupted by serious injury.
Dancevic, 24, has never gone past round two in a major and is yet to win a professional title.
Agence France-Presse
“You can't get a much more exciting three-setter,'' Blake said.
“It was a little too exciting but he played some great tennis.''
Blake, who has never lost his first match in eight appearances at the Australian Open, made last year's quarter-finals but is still looking for his maiden grand slam win.
In cool and windy evening conditions, the 29-year-old New Yorker peppered Dancevic with aggressive ground strokes and some dazzling winners.
Blake lobbed Dancevic to break back in the second and dropped a cute backhand behind the net as he went ahead, finishing the set with an ace.
But Dancevic replied with similar aggression in the third set, breaking back and conjuring six more break points as he tested the American to the limit.
However, Blake got the crucial break for 6-5 and sealed it when Dancevic put a backhand just wide on the first match-point.
“He was keeping me on edge, I had to come up with some great serves and he let me off the hook with some of those break-points,'' Blake said.
“He had nothing to lose and that can be really dangerous. I tried to think that and just ride the storm. I was able to do that and put a few winners away.''
Blake has reached three grand slam quarter-finals and won 10 ATP tournaments in a career interrupted by serious injury.
Dancevic, 24, has never gone past round two in a major and is yet to win a professional title.
Agence France-Presse
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