Showing posts with label Blake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blake. Show all posts

Saturday, August 16, 2008

No Djoke, Srbija Win Bronze

World #3, Novak Djokovic, brought back some pride to the Serbian camp when he beat American, James Blake, 6-3 7-6, to take home Olympic bronze in convincing fashion.

Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open champion won the first set easily but Blake, who was still angry over what he deemed as "cheating" by Fernando Gonzalez in the previous round, made him work in the second set but succumbed to the tenacious play of Djokovic.

The Serb celebrated by throwing his shirt, racquet and other accessories into the crowd while holding the Serbian flag with pride.

Serbia may be able to make it a bronze-double if Jelena Jankovic can win her 3rd-place play-off against China's Li Na, who lost to Russian, Dinara Safina, in the semifinals.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Speedy Gonzalez Breaks Blake, Controversy

In a slightly controversial match, Fernando Gonzalez of Chile came from a set down to beat giant killer James Blake of the USA, 4-6 7-5 11-9.

Gonzalez lost the first set through a large number of unforced errors and some fantastic backhand winners from Blake, who took out the number 1 seed, Roger Federer in the previous round. Gonzo kept his calm to take the match to a decider.

The 3rd set was a long drawn affair, as there was no deciding tie-breaker and at 9-8 in the 3rd, Blake struck a backhand that went wide but clipped Gonzalez's racquet in the process.

Unsportsman-like Gonzalez never admitted the fault and with Blake pleading his case to the umpire to no avail, Blake lost his nerve to give the 3rd set away, 11-9.

This is the second time Chile are in the Olympic final, where Nicholas Massu prevailed to get Olympic Gold.

Gonzalez is hoping to equal that by lifting the medal but standing in his way are either new world #1, Raphael Nadal or world #3, Novak Djokovic.