2011 Sony Ericsson Open: James Blake receives wild card entry
World no. 173 James Blake of the USA has been awarded a wild card entry into the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open.
The former World no. 4 received a wild card entry at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells too, where he lost to his compatriot, World no.8 Andy Roddick 3-6, 5-7 in the second round.
This will be Blake’s tenth straight appearance at the second ATP Masters Series 1000 event of the season. He has a 13-9 win/loss record at this championship. The American reached the last 16 in his first appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open as he defeated
Guillermo Canas of Argentina 6-4, 6-3 in the third round in 2002. However, he lost to the then World no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 4-6, 1-6 in the fourth round.
Blake was defeated by his countryman Robby Ginepri 3-6, 2-6 in the round of 32 in 2003. He faced opening round exit as his compatriot Vincent Spadea, ranked World no.36 that time, beat him in three thrilling sets 7-6(12), 6-7(4), 1-6 next year. The American
lost a hard fought battle to Carlos Moya of Spain 6-4, 5-7, 6-7(6) in the second round in 2005.
Blake’s best performance at the Sony Ericsson came in the 2006 edition of the championship, when he defeated Juan Ignacio Chela in three sets 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the fourth round to reach the quarterfinals of the championship. However, he was beaten by the
Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer 6-7(2), 4-6 in the quarterfinals.
The American could not perform that well in the following year as he was upset by Florent Serra of France 6-7(8), 6-2, 3-6 in the second round.
Blake matched his best performance at the Sony Ericsson Open as he prevailed over Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round to reach the quarterfinals in 2008. He could not go further, losing to Rafael Nadal of Spain in a tough contest
6-3, 3-6, 1-6 in the quarterfinals.
The 31-year-old lost to Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in three gruelling sets 4-6, 7-6(3), 3-6 in the third round in 2009. The American could not go past second round as he lost to Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 in the round of 64 last year.
Blake has won four out of eight matches this year, losing in the second round of all the four tournaments he has played in this season. He started the year at the SAP Open, where he lost to the eventual champion Milos Raonic of Canada 2-6, 6-7(4) in the
round of 16. He was defeated by compatriot Robert Kendrick 6-7(5), 3-6 in the second round at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.
The American is always a favourite with the fans at the Sony Ericsson Open. He is expected to perform better during this year’s championship as he has recovered from the injuries that troubled him last year.
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