Blake wins in Stockholm for third career title

By Oliver Grassman

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Resurgent American James Blake
claimed his third career title on Sunday, beating Thailand’s
Paradorn Srichaphan 6-1 7-6 at the Stockholm Open.

It was Blake’s first tournament appearance since losing an
epic five-setter to Andre Agassi in the U.S. Open
quarter-finals where he had a two sets to love lead.

The 25-year-old sixth seed started the year ranked 97th
after a tough 2004 season that included a severe neck injury
and the death of his father, but has shown impressive form
since the beginning of August, reeling off 21 wins in 25
matches.

Sunday’s final was his first in Europe, his previous titles
having come in Washington in 2002 and in New Haven this year.

“It’s great to know I can succeed here, half the (ATP) tour
is here in Europe,” Blake told reporters.

“This is the first time I’ve had success in Europe,
previously I’ve only done well in the States and maybe in
Australia.”

Blake took advantage of poor serving from Srichaphan in the
first set to break him three times, clinching it in 21 minutes.

The Thai found his rhythm in the second set and broke to
5-4 but failed to capitalize and Blake broke straight back.

The players then held serve to move into a tiebreak where
Blake squandered his first two match points before winning it
8-6 and claiming his fourth win in five meetings with the Thai.

Blake said: “Paradorn started playing great tennis in the
second set, so I’m glad I was able to stay on with him.”

He added: “People have said to me in the past that I’m a
grand slam contender and I haven’t believed it.

“Now I feel I can be a contender and when I’m looking into
the grand slams it feels like I can compete all the way into
the second Sunday.”

Blake next travels to the Madrid Masters where he will play
only the doubles with friend and compatriot Andy Roddick.

Paradorn, who had ousted Swedish top seed Thomas Johansson
and Italian David Sanguinetti in close three-setters, said: “I
think I’ve had a slow starts since the quarter-finals.

“Today I lost the first set again, but I still believed I
could play well in the second set, which I did.

“I had a chance to serve it home, but he played great then.
He was just better and I think he deserved to win today.”