Blake ousts Nalbandian
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ByEurosport
Published 18/11/2006 at 15:35 GMT
James Blake dominated defending champion David Nalbandian 6-4 6-1 on Saturday to advance to the Masters Cup final, where he will face world number one Roger Federer. Devastating the Argentine in just one hour and 16 minutes, Blake prevents Shanghai from w
TENNIS 2006 Masters Cup James Blake 1/2 final
Image credit: Reuters
After battling through five deuces and two set points two break Nalbandian a second time and claim the opener 6-4, Blake cruised from there.
The American demonstrated acrobatic athleticism, reaching every corner of the court and returning nearly everything Nalbandian could hit at him in the second set.
The world number eight broke the Argentine three times in the second, then fought off a break point in his final service game to claim the 6-4 6-1 win.
Blake, who was the final player to book his spot in Shanghai, goes to the Masters Cup final in his first appearance at the tournament.
He has lost to Federer in each of their five previous meetings and all three times this season, including a 7-6 (7) 6-0 6-7 (11) 6-4 defeat at the quarter-finals of the US Open in September and a 7-5 6-3 6-0 loss at the final of the Indian Wells Masters in March.
Blake has won five ATP titles this season, but Sunday's match will be the first time he has reached either a Grand Slam or Masters Cup final.
"It was not easy, David's an incredible player but all those shots you have a stab at were going in," said Blake. "I have nothing to lose, I'll have some fun and try to do what most people think is impossible."
Nalbandian, who came back from two sets down to beat Federer in last year's final, threw his racket in the air in despair after being broken in his first service game of the second set.
"It was pretty tough," said the world number seven. "He hit very good shots. I always was playing on defence. He played very good."
Follow LIVE coverage of Sunday's final between Federer and Blake from 9:00CET on www.eurosport.com.
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