Defending Champ Blake Gains Stockholm Final
Posted on October 15, 2006Top seed James Blake is looking good for a Stockholm title defense after a 7-5, 7-6(4) victory to set him up in the final Sunday against Jarkko Nieminen.
Blake won 78% of his first serves with five aces and two doubles faults. The 26-year-old broke Soderling twice from six opportunities in the pair's first career meeting.
"It's great to get into another final, especially as defending champion here," Blake said. "I had never played Soderling before. I expected him to serve really well but he surprised me how well and heavy he hit the ball from the back of the court."
Blake will look to add to 2006 titles in Sydney (d. Andreev), Las Vegas (d. Hewitt), Indianapolis (d. Roddick) and Bangkok (d. Ljubicic).
The fifth-seeded Nieminen knocked out Sweden's Joachim Johansson 7-6(8), 6-7(5) 6-3 to reach his second Stockholm final.
"It was close in Bangkok, this year he has been the best hardcourt player in the world, except Federer," Nieminen said of Blake.
The fleet-footed Finn wos his lone career tour title at the start of the year in Auckland.
Blake won 78% of his first serves with five aces and two doubles faults. The 26-year-old broke Soderling twice from six opportunities in the pair's first career meeting.
"It's great to get into another final, especially as defending champion here," Blake said. "I had never played Soderling before. I expected him to serve really well but he surprised me how well and heavy he hit the ball from the back of the court."
Blake will look to add to 2006 titles in Sydney (d. Andreev), Las Vegas (d. Hewitt), Indianapolis (d. Roddick) and Bangkok (d. Ljubicic).
The fifth-seeded Nieminen knocked out Sweden's Joachim Johansson 7-6(8), 6-7(5) 6-3 to reach his second Stockholm final.
"It was close in Bangkok, this year he has been the best hardcourt player in the world, except Federer," Nieminen said of Blake.
The fleet-footed Finn wos his lone career tour title at the start of the year in Auckland.