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4/8/09 3:45 AM | Kelli DeMario
American James Blake was ousted by Argentine Guillermo Cañas in the first round of the US Clay Court Championships on Friday night.
Top-seeded James Blake, who has reached the quarterfinal round or better in six of eight appearances in Houston since 2001, suffered a shock loss to unseeded Guillermo Cañas. Cañas, winless against the American prior to Tuesday’s matchup, notched his first victory over the former world No. 4 in three attempts.
Cañas, ranked No. 113 in the world, jumped out to an early lead in the first set, breaking the Blake serve at 2-2. The American struggled to hold serve, striking two critical double-faults late in the set. Blake managed to secure a service break of his own at 4-2, but surrendered a second break of serve to Cañas in the following game. The Argentine, a perfect 11 of 11 first-serve points won, held serve to close out the set 6-4.
Blake could not regroup in set two, quickly falling behind a break at 1-2. The American struggled to find rhythm on the return of serve, converting only one of five break-point opportunities. The top seed continued to falter, winning a dismal six of 16 points on his second serve. Cañas reached 5-3 after Blake lost serve for the fourth time in the match, and he promptly served it out.
The world No. 17, a finalist in 2008, makes his earliest exit in Houston since 2006.
Cañas will battle the winner of the match between American wildcard Taylor Dent and Brazilian Marcos Daniel.
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*sigh* James, why do you do this to us? Get with your buddy Roddick and start training with him. Pronto!
-Arvis
Arvis , 4/8/09 6:04 PM
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no surprise there - but the French Open forecast once again looks BRUTAL for the American men
RickyDimon , 4/8/09 4:27 AM