Americans Blake, Roddick, Ginepri Into Indy Semis

Top seed James Blake led three Americans through to the semifinals of the RCA Championships in Indianapolis with a tough 7-6(2), 7-6(5) win over 10th-seeded Frenchman Nicolas Mahut Friday. Joining Blake in the semifinals are countrymen Andy Roddick and Robby Ginepri, who have shared the past three RCA Championships titles.

Ginepri, the defending champion, repeated his 2005 Indianapolis win over Paradorn Srichaphan with a 6-4, 6-1 victory. Ginepri dropped just three points on his first serve and did not face a break point, while converting all four break point chances he had on the Thai's serve.

Roddick, champion in 2003-2004, avenged his 2005 first-round US Open loss to Gilles Muller 6-2, 6-3. Roddick served up a modest six aces but conceded just six points on serve throughout the match.

Xavier Malisse defeated Fernando Gonzalez 7-6(4), 6-4 Friday to reach the semifinals for the third time this year.

Malisse broke Gonzalez three times and was broken twice himself. Malisse won 73 points to 61 for Gonzalez. It was the first time the two have played in ATP competition.

Malisse also reached the semifinals at Auckland in January (d. Berdych) and at Delray Beach in February (d. Garcia-Lopez).

The Belgian improved his record for the year to 20-14. He has a career record of 10-7 at Indianapolis and had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.
-- ATP