Defending Champ Blake No. 2 Seed Behind Nadal at Stockholm
Posted on October 9, 2006Last year James Blake claimed his first-ever title outside the U.S. at Stockholm. Since then Blake, who has leapt into the Top 10 on the strength of four 2006 titles, has had no problem winning on different continents, capturing titles in far-away locations such as Sydney and Bangkok.
Seeded No. 6 last year, Blakes comes in as the No. 2 seed in 2006 behind world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Also among the seeded are Czech Tomas Berdych, Spaniard David Ferrer, Finn Jarkko Nieminen, Belgians Olivier Rochus and Kristof Vliegen, and Swede Robin Soderling.
Nadal opens against Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, while Blake has a tougher test against former Australian Open winner Thomas Johansson.
Unseeded players of note include Chilean Nicolas Massu, Swedish wildcard Andreas Vinciguerra trying to get his career on track after injury, and Americans Vince Spadea (vs. (6) O. Rochus) and Mardy Fish, who faces Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan.
Srichaphan lost to Blake in the 2005 final.
Swede Joachim Johansson is also a wildcard, attempting a return from a lengthy shoulder injury.
American legend John McEnroe will also compete in the doubles draw with homecountry favorite Jonas Bjorkman.
Nadal will attempt to reach his first final since Wimbledon, coming up short in his last three events at the Masters Series-Canada (l. to Berdych), the MS-Cincinnati (l. to Ferrero), and the US Open (l. to Youzhny).
Seeded No. 6 last year, Blakes comes in as the No. 2 seed in 2006 behind world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Also among the seeded are Czech Tomas Berdych, Spaniard David Ferrer, Finn Jarkko Nieminen, Belgians Olivier Rochus and Kristof Vliegen, and Swede Robin Soderling.
Nadal opens against Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, while Blake has a tougher test against former Australian Open winner Thomas Johansson.
Unseeded players of note include Chilean Nicolas Massu, Swedish wildcard Andreas Vinciguerra trying to get his career on track after injury, and Americans Vince Spadea (vs. (6) O. Rochus) and Mardy Fish, who faces Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan.
Srichaphan lost to Blake in the 2005 final.
Swede Joachim Johansson is also a wildcard, attempting a return from a lengthy shoulder injury.
American legend John McEnroe will also compete in the doubles draw with homecountry favorite Jonas Bjorkman.
Nadal will attempt to reach his first final since Wimbledon, coming up short in his last three events at the Masters Series-Canada (l. to Berdych), the MS-Cincinnati (l. to Ferrero), and the US Open (l. to Youzhny).