Blake, Resurgent Johansson Into Stockholm Semis
Posted on October 14, 2006Top seed James Blake edged past No. 6 seed Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 for a place in the Stockholm semifinals on Friday.
Blake, the defending champion, whacked 16 aces in the win, and set himself up with a Saturday showdown against No. 8 seed Robin Soderling, a 6-2, 6-3 victor over No. 3 seed Tomas Berdych.
In the other semifinal, No. 5 seed Jarkko Nieminen will face surprise Swedish wildcard Joachim Johasson. Nieminen defeated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 while Johansson, who is playing his first ATP-level tournament since San Jose in February following right shoulder and elbow injuries, sent home Belgian Kristof Vliegen 6-7(5), 7-5(5), 7-6(7).
Blake, the defending champion, whacked 16 aces in the win, and set himself up with a Saturday showdown against No. 8 seed Robin Soderling, a 6-2, 6-3 victor over No. 3 seed Tomas Berdych.
In the other semifinal, No. 5 seed Jarkko Nieminen will face surprise Swedish wildcard Joachim Johasson. Nieminen defeated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 while Johansson, who is playing his first ATP-level tournament since San Jose in February following right shoulder and elbow injuries, sent home Belgian Kristof Vliegen 6-7(5), 7-5(5), 7-6(7).