Sports

Blake Wins Rain-Delayed ATC Match Against Gulbis

In another match, India's Somdev Devvarma prevailed over American Ryan Sweeting at the ATP World Tour event held this week at Peachtree Corners' Racquet Club of the South.

Monday, the first day of the Atlanta Tennis Championships brought together former World No. 4 James Blake and Latvian Ernest Gulbis, an ATP World Tour champion last year.

In the featured match played on center court Blake dropped the first set leaving the veteran from the USA down 4-0 in the second-set tiebreak, but then he reeled off the next seven out of eight points to force the third set.

With Blake up a break, rain forced an hour-and-18-minute weather delay. After the players returned to the court, Blake won the next three games to take the match 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

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During the match, Blake saved 17 of 20 break points, including all nine in the third set.

The biggest battle of the day came on court one, with American Ryan Sweeting facing off against eighth-seeded Indian Somdev Devvarman.

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The two stars split the first two sets to force a third that was full of momentum swings. Devvarman served for the match at 5-3 and was up 40-0, but the heavy-hitting American fought back to break. However, Devvarman, a two-time NCAA champion, broke back in very next game to take the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes.

Today's lineup:

Stadium Court:

4:00 p.m.
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Phillip Simmonds (USA)

7:00 p.m.
Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Robby Ginepri (USA)

Followed by:
James Blake (USA) and John Isner (USA)
vs.
Marcelo Melo (BRA) and Jamie Murray (GBR)

Matches on Court 1 and 2 also begin at 4:00 p.m. today

For ticket information, call 678-495-3279 or visit www.atlantatennishchampionships.com

Editor's note: Ron Cioffi, the USTA Southern Director of Communications (US Tennis Association) provided information for Monday's results.


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