Blake, Ginepri Among Five Upset-Makers at ATP Washington

Gardening was the theme Wednesday at the ATP stop in Washington as five seeds were uprooted in second-round play with the host Americans doing the majority of the damage.

Three unseeded Americans provided upsets in James Blake (d. (4) Stepanek in three), current US Open Series leader Robby Ginepri (d. (12) Beck), and wildcard Bobby Reynolds (d. (15) Mello in three).

"It feels good to get through to the next round," said the heat-fit Ginepri, who melted down countryman Taylor Dent in the Indianapolis final. "The hotter the better. I love playing when it's plus-90 out."

Blake says he is getting over the hump with his ever-building confidence.

"I have been working on my serve I have been feeling a little more confident -- I got an ace and then another first serve in, those are the kind of points that three or four months ago I would not have won," Blake said. "I wouldn't have the confidence to build up my shots...I got through a match that most people underestimated me. It seems the tides are turning and the crowd support definitely helps."

Also on the upset tip were Peru's Luis Horna (d. (5) Hrbaty 7-6 in the third), and L.A. runner-up Gilles Muller (d. (9) Massu) continuing his torrid left-handed play.

Seeded winners through to the third round were (8) Sebastien Grosjean (d. Popp), (10) Tomas Berdych (d. Arthurs in three), (11) Greg Rusedski (d. (Q) Healey), (13) Paradorn Srichaphan (d. Goldstein, saving three match points), and (14) Juan Ignacio Chela (d. (WC) Baker).

"Since Newport I'm starting to play well and I have no complaints," said Rusedski, who will next face Karlovic in a serve-a-thon. "I expect a tough match against Ivo and it usually comes down to one or two points with him. I've beaten him twice indoors last year."

In the only all-unseeded meeting on the day, Arnaud Clement took another step toward pre-injury form with a 7-6-in-the-third win over Brit lucky loser Richard Bloomfield.

In first-round doubles action, three seeded teams advanced Wednesday in (1) Bryan/Bryan (d. Grosjean/Hrbaty), (2) Black/Ullyett (d. Palmer/Parrott), and (3) Bhupathi/Damm (d. Moodie/Zib).

On tap for Thursday on the hardcourts are (11) "Grinning" Greg Rusedski vs. "Dr." Ivo Karlovic, Moodie vs. (13) Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, (1) Roddick vs. (14) Juan Ignacio "The Spitting Snake" Chela, (16) Zib vs. Blake, Clement vs. Muller, (8) Grosjean vs. (10) Berdych, Ginepri vs. Luis "Me So" Horna, and (WC) Bobby Reynolds "Wrap" vs. Hernych.