Nadal Hopes to Pick Blake not Butt in TMS Indian Wells Semifinal

Even If Blake loses in the semifinals he will move to No. 10 from No. 14. If Blake reaches the final in Indian Wells he will move to No. 9 (pushing Agassi to No. 10) and if he wins the title he will move to No. 7

The last time three Americans were in the Top 10 at the same time was February 14, 2000: Agassi (1), Pete Sampras (3) and Todd Martin (10).

"It is a significant number obviously to say that I'm there is great," Blake said. "I think, you know, last year at this time, as much as now, I can maybe officially say I know what top 10 level tennis is. I think I was playing top 10 level tennis at the US Open, around that time. I can stay top 10 and possibly not be playing top 10 level of tennis. I don't want to do that. I just want to keep getting better, play this level, continue to improve."

On a lighter note, Blake said that his new profile as a Top 10 player would have its privileges. "The first thing that came to my mind is now I get to take my shirt off at Saddle Brook. I made a deal with Kevin O'Connor who runs the tennis program there: I saw Sampras come and practice there, Rios come and practice. They'd be practicing with their shirt off. It gets pretty hot in Tampa. Then myself or Mardy Fish go try to practice. No, no, no, you're not allowed. Other administrators come over and say you got to keep your shirt on. How come they can? If you get to top 10 in the world, then you're allowed to take your shirt off. First practice back in Tampa, my shirt will be off. I'll be working on my tan."

Rafael Nadal won the last eight games of the match against Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis to advance to the semifinals with a 7-5, 6-0 victory. Nadal was broken when serving for the first set at 5-3 and Baghdatis then held to level at 5-5.

But the Cypriot was unable to hang with Nadal after that as the Spaniard closed out the match to set up a chance to avenge his loss to James Blake at last year's US Open.

Looking ahead to the Blake semifinal, Nadal said: "It will be a very difficult match. He's playing very tough. I will have to play a very good match. I have a lot of motivation after losing to him last year (at the US Open). If I play well I know I will always have a chance to win."

Baghdatis, who slipped to 11-5 on the year, said he was simply outplayed in his first meeting with Nadal. "It was a good lesson for me to see how he plays and stuff. He has a great forehand, great backhand. He has every shot. He's a great athlete.

"I mean, physically he's amazing. It was a good lesson for me today. I think I know what to work on now more... next time I play him I will have maybe a tactic to play against him. That's all. That's a good experience for me today.

I didn't play so bad. Like I said, he was too good for me today."