Black Tennis Pros

The threepeat by American James Blake was not to be. After a 13-match string of success, Blake was defeated today by Sweden's own Thomas Johansson who saved five match points to knock off the top seed 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(7-3).

Blake had his opportunities to reach the final for a third straight year, but couldn't finish off his Swedish opponent.

Johansson saved a match point on his serve at 4-5 in the third set, then four more again on his own serve at 5-6 in the third. The momentum carried into the tiebreaker, as the 2002 Australian Open champ opened a 4-0 lead on the way to completing the triumph.

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Stockholm Open Thomas Johansson

In a repeat of last year's final, James Blake once again prevails over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland. It was a tight first set today, and Nieminen came out the victor. But in the end Blake defeated the man from Finland 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-2.

"I don't know what it is about Stockholm, it seems to bring out the best in me," said top seed and world no. 7 Blake. "I'm so happy to stay undefeated."

Though Blake lost the first set, he managed to gain control as he broke Nieminen for 5-4 in the second set, squaring the finely- balanced contest a game later as he served it out.

Blake hit the ground running in the third set and did not look back. He served 10 aces and saved 6 of 7 break points.

Blake will face off against Swede Thomas Johansson, the last home survivor who fired 10 aces of his own to eliminate Mario Ancic 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

The Swedes may have treated James Blake like a play cousin during Davis Cup, but Blake eased his pain a bit today. At the end of a serious challenge from Swede Jonas Bjorkman, Blake came out the victor 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3. Now I must tell you that in the second set at 5-5, I almost had a heart attack. I sometimes think that Blake is on a personal mission to give me a coronary!.

Blake is the reigning champion at the Stockholm Open. He is also attempting to become the first man to win this title three straight times. He currently sits level with Thomas Enqvist (1995-1996) and Boris Becker (1990-1991) as the last two men to claim the title twice.

Round 1 - Singles

James Blake, USA vs Jonas Borkman, SWE
















Round 1 - Singles

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA, vs Nikolay Davydenko, RUS

Round 1 - Doubles

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA and Sebastien Grosjean, FRA
vs
Michael Berrer, GER and Philipp Kolschreiber, GER