Blake wins humdinger

The match started in unlikely fashion, each of the first five games a break as the players struggled to make use of their first serve.

The returning prowess of Davydenko and style of Blake caused the problems, although eventually the Russian managed to hold for a 4-2 lead.

Blake continued to struggle and failed to hold a single game in the first set, while Davydenko did it again to take it 6-2.

Blake started the second set in similar fashion, broken in the opening game. He looked a shadow of the player who disposed of world number two Rafael Nadal on Tuesday.

He was not short on graft, however, and battled to hold his following two serves as Davydenko took the game to him.

Then came the first breakthrough. With Davydenko appearing to pick up a slight leg injury - not confirmed - Blake returned well enough to break back, the winning point a lovely stroke dug out from wide of the court.

That gave the American a surge of confidence. He served two aces in the following game before breaking again to win the set 6-4.

At 2-1 in the final set, Davydenko suffered a mini-crisis and gave Blake his service game with a series of poor shots. It seemed as though Blake would cruise to the win as his rival struggled for confidence, an intriguing turnaround.

In another twist he seemed to shake off his problems and stormed back to 3-3 by breaking Blake.

From there the pair held their serves until, with Davydenko serving to take the match to a final set tie-break, a combination of brilliant Blake winners and poor long shots from the Russian gave Blake the set and a 2-6 6-4 7-5 victory.