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2/17/08 6:04 PM | Jonathan Morgan
History is not on Blake's side for the final. Top seeds in the Delray event are 0-5 in finals. This would be the best day to reverse the trend, as Blake is playing in his 21st ATP level final, while Nishikori is playing his maiden final.
Blake also can win the tournament without facing a top 100 player, an extreme rarity for an ATP tournament. The last time this happened was when Albert Costa won the Bournemouth event in Great Britian (clay tournament in Great Britian?!) without facing a top 100 player.
Blake's road has been a bit of a rollercoaster, as is the standard in Blake's matches. He has not lost a set thus far but he's been behind many times. Nishikori on the other hand has had some wildly entertaining matches with stellar play and a favorable outcome for him.
Nishikori went through the qualifying, so he might show some fatigue in the final. It is a beautiful South Florida day, so the rain that accompanied both the earlier rounds today and last year's final won't be an issue today.
Blake will look to press hard and get the youngster off-balance from the first ball. Nishikori's inexperience could be both a hinderance and an aid, as he can play without fear. Blake will need to serve well and back it up with solid baseline play. Nishikori isn't like all the other player's he played thus far. If he gets up a break, Nishikori's WILL NOT give in the the pressure. If Blake wants to win this, he will need to take it. Just because Nishikori is green and inexperienced does not mean this will be a pushover.
That being said, Blake is a heavy favorite and I expect him to win, but Nishikori playing an other-worldy match, upsetting the top seed, and taking the title isn't completely as farfetched as it was when the tournament began. We may be seeing the future of tennis here before our very eyes.
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