Blake beats Bjorkman to stay spotless in Stockholm
Thursday, 11 October 2007
STOCKHOLM, Oct 10 (AFP): James Blake struggled for two and a half hours to maintain his perfect career mark at the Stockholm Open, earning his 11th win in a battling victory over Jonas Bjorkman 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-3.
The American's Tuesday night success denied the 35-year-old Swede his dream of rolling back the years after lifting the home title a decade ago.
Bjorkman, ranked 45th but still a powerhouse on court, led by a set and 4-2 only to let the American world number seven back into the tight contest.
Top seed Blake struck two of his eight double-faults on the night in one game but survived that mishap to salvage the tenth game of the second set for 5-all. He eventually squared it at a set apiece after nearly two hours.
The American's Tuesday night success denied the 35-year-old Swede his dream of rolling back the years after lifting the home title a decade ago.
Bjorkman, ranked 45th but still a powerhouse on court, led by a set and 4-2 only to let the American world number seven back into the tight contest.
Top seed Blake struck two of his eight double-faults on the night in one game but survived that mishap to salvage the tenth game of the second set for 5-all. He eventually squared it at a set apiece after nearly two hours.