Black Tennis Pros

Americans James Blake and Wayne Odesnik came back from a slow start in the decisive doubles match, Monday at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship in Duesseldorf, to clinch the tie for the United States against the Czech Republic, 2-1.

Czechs Tomas Berdych, the World No. 12 in singles, and Pavel Vizer, the World No. 5 in doubles, rolled out to a 6-0 first set as they held their opponents to just eight points - two of which came on serve.

The Americans, playing in their first match as a duo, launched their comeback in the second set with three breaks of serve to the Czech's two. They then put the match away with a winning return, 0-6, 7-5, 10-8.

Odesnik put the U.S. team on a level-playing field with the Czech Republic heading into the Monday’s doubles match, defeating Ivo Minar 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Rochusclub.

Odesnik, currently ranked a career-high No. 104 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, reached his first career ATP semifinal last month at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.

Earlier in the day, Berdych prevailed in two tie-break sets over World No. 8 Blake to give the Czech Republic the 1-0 lead. Both players dropped serve once in each set, and Berdych won three more points than the American to clinch the 7-6(5), 7-6(5) win.