Live Tennis Staff - 2 Sep 2011
James Blake looks to roll back the years when he plays David Ferrer at the US Open tonight.
Blake would love nothing more than one final run at the US Open in front of his many adoring fans as his career winds towards its close. This fortnight is one of the main reasons why he’s still playing and was prepared to drop down to the challengers to find form and confidence.He was tested against big serving qualifier Jesse Huta-Galung in the opening round but came through in four and now he needs to find something special against the fifth seed.
Ferrer recovered from a dodgy first set to beat Igor Andreev 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 and it must mean he’s feeling healthy again which isn’t good news for American fans. Ferrer is also in the same section as Andy Roddick.
Blake‘s only chance today is to come in firing off all cylinders and try to catch Ferrer off balance in the opening two sets. He’s done it before, winning both their previous matches, the last one coming in Indian Wells last year which will give him belief.
The crowd may also play a big role in this one, it’s last match on Grandstand which means the arena should be packed to the rafters. However Ferrer has plenty of experience of dealing with that, he spearheaded Spain to a Davis Cup win on American soil in July and he’ll probably prove just a bit too solid today.