08/14/2008 - Beijing, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - James Blake has finally slayed the dragon.
The eighth-seeded Blake had been 0-8 against Super Swiss Roger Federer going into Thursday's tennis quarterfinal match at the Olympics, but the American pulled out a 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory.
It was a night filled with highs and lows for the Americans. On the women's side, the Williams sisters were bounced from singles play. Fourth-seeded Serena was taken down by fifth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Seventh-seeded Venus, bidding for a third Olympic gold medal, was beaten by China's Li Na, 7-5, 7-5.
The start of the tennis session was delayed more than four hours by rain, but Blake was steadfast in his first win against Federer, who will fall from his perch atop the rankings next week when Spaniard Rafael Nadal takes over that slot.
Federer though won't get a chance for Olympic gold, as Blake surged ahead in the tiebreaker with a fabulous passing shot before falling to his knees in elation at the end.
"This is unbelievable," said Blake. "It's not very often you get to say you beat the No.1 player in the world anytime, but to do it at the Olympics with USA on your chest, I'm so proud to be part of this team."
Blake's semifinal encounter will be against 12th-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.
It was an amazing accomplishment for Blake, considering he'd won just one set against Federer prior to Thursday night.
"Maybe if you play him enough times he's bound to have an off day," said Blake. "He didn't play his best today, but I felt like I served well when I needed to, especially in that tiebreaker."
A break of serve in the ninth game of the first set sent Blake on his way to the lead. Federer dropped the first three games of the next set, but rallied from a 5-2 deficit to force the tiebreaker. The problem was 56 unforced errors set back Federer.
The other semifinal will be between Nadal, the second seed, and third-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic. Nadal powered past Austrian Jurgen Melzer, 6-0, 6-4, while Djokovic rallied to beat Frenchman Gael Monfils, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Also on the women's side, ninth seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia beat France's Sybille Bammer, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Zvonareva will play Dementieva in the semis.
Second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia was set to play sixth-seeded Russian Dinara Safina in the other quarterfinal, but rain put a halt to the match before it was supposed to start well after 1 a.m. local time. It was postponed to Friday.
<< Playoff hopefuls conclude set in South Beach
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division riva
<< Glavine returns from DL in finale with Cubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves are expected to have Tom Glavine back on
the mound tonight, when they close out a three-game series versus the Chicago
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Brett Myers took the hill he had a fantastic
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The race for National League East supremacy seems much like
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The New York Mets are back at the top of the heap tied with the Philad
Roy has successful surgery >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy
underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to repair a meniscus
tear in his left knee.
The All-Star from the University of Washington learned of th
Flyers extend head coach Stevens once more >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers reached an
agreement with head coach John Stevens on a two-year contract extension on
Thursday.
Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I am very exc
Three share early lead in Sweden >>
Stockholm, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nick Dougherty opened with a four-under-
par 66 Thursday to grab a share of the lead after the opening round of the SAS
Masters.
Dougherty was joined in the lead by Peter Hanson and Pedro Linhart.
Rob
Coyotes ink Perreault >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed center Joel
Perreault to a two-year contract on Thursday.
The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Perreault appeared in 49 games for the Coyotes last
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