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7/20/11 6:43 AM | Ricky Dimon
Doubles partners and fellow Americans John Isner and James Blake are set for a marquee matchup in the Atlanta second round on Wednesday. A spot in the quarterfinals--and perhaps more--is at stake.
On Tuesday, John Isner and James Blake teamed up to take apart No. 2 seeds Marcelo Melo and Jamie Murray in the doubles opening round. Less than 24 hours later, friends turn foes.
Isner and Blake will be squaring off for the first time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Atlanta Tennis Championships on Wednesday night. If their doubles performance and recent singles showings are any indication, the American crowd should be in for a great one.
The two compatriots--especially Blake--have endured rough patches over the past year, but they seem to be rounding into form just in time for the U.S. Open Series as the season's final Grand Slam approaches. Blake registers down at No. 91 in the world due to poor play and physical problems, but he is back on the rise. The 31-year-old won the Winnetka Challenger title earlier this month and he is now a solid 8-7 at the ATP level this year after storming back to beat Ernests Gulbis 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-2 on Monday.
For Isner, the summer hard-court swing has always been his favorite part of the season. It looked like he would head into it this year with no confidence, but the 6'9'' American emerged from a slump and captured a grass-court title two weeks ago in Newport. Isner, runner-up to Mardy Fish at this event last year, is now 16-14 for his 2011 campaign and he is back up to No. 35 in the world rankings.
Blake and Isner joked after their doubles victory that a lot would be riding on Wednesday's outcome--not merely a quarterfinal berth. Isner even told the fans that if he loses, he will not only take Blake out to dinner, but also take everyone in the stadium out for both food and drinks.
Of course, when Wednesday night rolls around things will get serious. This should be a good matchup for Isner, who generally struggles against consistent baseliners who can return his booming serve and run him around the court. Blake, however, likes to end rallies quickly and he probably is not consistent enough to hold serve time and time again versus an opponent who is so difficult to break.
Look for Isner to get the victory in three entertaining sets.
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James Blake
John Isner
Atlanta
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