Blake Bests Harrison For First Win Of Season; Roddick v. Mahut Today In Atlanta

James Blake turned back the clock last night upsetting hot shot American Ryan Harrison 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round at the ATP stop in Atlanta.

The win marked Blake’s 350th career match victory on the men’s tour. The 32-year-old who has been plagued by a knee injury, was 0-6 on the season before yesterday.

“My knee hasn’t been that far off, but it’s been far enough off that it’s affected me,” Blake told the AP. “When that starts getting better, my shoulder starts giving me problems, and it makes me realize I’m not 20, like Ryan, anymore.”

Blake and fiancée, Emily Snider, welcome the birth of their first child, Riley Elizabeth, on June 11.

Tonight, Andy Roddick makes his summer hardcourt debut against marathon man Nicolas Mahut. Mahut beat the former No. 1 a the French Open in four sets in their most recent meeting. Since, Roddick won his first title of year at Eastbourne in June before a third round run at Wimbledon.

Top seeded John Isner and two-time defending champion Mardy Fish begin their campaigns on Thursday. Isner just won his second title in Newport on Sunday.

Hamburg today features a blockbuster between German favorite Tommy Haas against Gilles Simon. Red hot Marin Cilic in also in action.

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