China Open—Beijing, China
Top seed Rafael Nadal won his second straight three set match on Thursday, defeating former top five player James Blake, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-3.
The two hour and 24 minute clash consisted of numerous forehand winners by both competitors coupled with superb serving.
Nadal struck six aces, won 67 percent of his first serve points, and saved 8-11 break point opportunities against his delivery.
Blake was equally as stellar in his serve games, recording six aces and winning 70 percent of his first serve points.
Nadal was able to get the better of Blake during 5-6 break point opportunities, converting on a crucial break of serve at 3-4 Blake serving in the third set, to close out the match.
"I played a very good match. I had the match under control," Nadal said.
"I managed to save very important points and when I had the chance I took it."
Blake managed to win the second set tiebreak when Nadal hit a backhand return long.
The American returned the favor to the Spaniard on his first match point by donating an errant backhand return miss.
All in all, it was an encouraging match for Blake who is now coached by American Kelly Jones. Blake had previous been coached by American Brian Baker since he was eight-years-old. It was revealed on Wednesday that the pair had split in September.
Jones had previously worked with Mardy Fish.
Nadal and Blake had a nice exchange at the net after the match was over with Blake candidly telling Nadal "it's nice to see you healthy again."
Nadal replied with a clam "you too."
With the win, Nadal's perfect streak in China stayed intact (13-0), while improving his head-to-head with Blake to 3-3. Nadal has won the last three meetings with Blake.
The top seed will now set his sights on Russian powerhouse Marat Safin, after the former world No. 1 defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 6-4.
Safin captured his first win against Gonzalez after losing six straight matches, improving his head-to-head with the Argentine to 6-3.
Safin hit 12 aces, won 88 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on two occasions during the one hour and nine minute contest.
The tall Russian used his potent backhand wing and frequent trips to the net to offset his hard hitting opponent. This combination of point construction became the key for Safin's victory on Thursday with the big man finishing off his 13th win of the season with an overhead.
Nadal leads Safin 1-0 in the pair's head-to-head meetings, with their lone match coming at the 2007 Masters 1000 event in Montreal.
Safin commented on his upcoming match with his Spanish opponent in his post match presser.
"I know I will play better tomorrow," said Safin. "Nadal is going to be the favourite. I have no pressure; I’m just going to play my game, go for it, be aggressive and then we’ll see. It’s going to be my biggest match in a long time so I’m pretty excited."
The heavyweight fight will take place Friday evening at China's National Tennis Center.
Elsewhere, Ivan Ljubicic ended the run of qualifier Lukasz Kubot, defeating the No. 143 ranked Polish player, 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-4. Kubot had upset set defending champ Andy Roddick in first round action.
Ljubicic stuck 14 aces and won 78 percent of his first serve points to advance to his sixth quarterfinal of the season in two hours and 35 minutes.
Ljubicic will next face Robin Soderling, who won the final match of the day over Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-3.
The in form Swede played solid throughout the one hour and 19 minute victory, overpowering Robredo from the baseline while striking five aces and winning 83 percent of his first serve points.
Soderling and Ljubicic have played on four occasions on the ATP World Tour with Ljubicic leading the pair's head-to-head 3-1.
Friday's remaining quarterfinal match ups in China will feature:
Nikolay Davydenko vs. Marin Cilic and Novak Djokovic vs. Fernando Verdasco.
Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships—Tokyo, Japan
Recent Bangkok champ Gilles Simon was upset in the second round of the Japan Open on Thursday, losing to Russian Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-4.
The two hour and 39 minute barnburner featured a consistent battle which was won by the crafty Russian.
Youzhny capitalized on his fourth break point opportunity late in the third set to record his 30th win of the season, as well as his 4th straight win over Simon.
Simon was continuing in his bid to capture one of three remaining spots for the Barclays ATP World Tour final. Simon will now head to the Shanghai Masters 1000 next week to gather the necessary points required to qualify.
With the win, Youzhny sets up a quarterfinal showdown with defending champ Tomas Berdych.
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