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3/17/09 4:53 PM | Ricky Dimon
Although he insists he can "sleep at night," James Blake clearly has not gotten over what happened at last summer's Olympics. Another loss on Monday to Fernando Gonzalez certainly didn't help.
James Blake had a chance for revenge on Monday afternoon at the Masters Series Indian Wells, Unfortunately for the American, he did not come close to capitalizing on the opportunity.
Blake, who lost to Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals of last summer's Olympics, fell to the Chilean again on Monday, losing 7-5, 6-1 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open. There was no controversy over the brief one hour and five minute match, but also no love lost between the two players.
Late in their Olympic showdown, which Gonzalez won 11-9 in the third set, a Blake passing shot appeared to clip Gonzalez's racket before sailing long. Neither the chair umpire nor Gonzalez called it, and Gonzalez won the point--and eventually the match.
"Playing in the Olympics, in what's supposed to be considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself," Blake explained after the controversial encounter. "Fernando looked me square in the eye and didn't call it."
Blake was not about to back down after his Indian Wells loss. Added Blake: "I said what I said in China; absolutely stick to it. I respect this game too much to ever short-change it. I wouldn't do that, so it's still what I have to say about it, and I sleep very well at night thanks to that."
Whether or not Gonzalez short-changed the game and can't sleep at night, the bottom line is that he has won the past seven meetings with Blake (after losing the first three) and is moving on to the Indian Wells fourth round. Next up for Gonzalez is Roger Federer, whom Blake upset at the Olympics in order to set up the memorable match with Gonzalez.
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