Blake serves way into Stockholm Open final
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) – James Blake rode a powerful serve to beat Belgium’s Olivier Rochus 6-4, 6-3 at the Stockholm Open on Saturday to reach his first European final. Blake advanced to Sunday’s title match against Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, who rallied past Italy’s Davide Sanguinetti 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Paradorn won this tournament, one of the world’s oldest, in 2002.
Blake is playing his first tour event since his run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals, where he lost to Andre Agassi. The sixth-seeded American had 17 aces in his semifinal, including two late in the second set when he faced double break point.
In the other semifinal, Paradorn broke Sanguinetti for the only time in the decisive set to lead 5-3.
He clinched the match when Sanguinetti’s baseline shot went wide. The Italian tossed his racket before shaking hands with Paradorn at the net.
Kremlin Cup
MOSCOW – Third-seeded Mary Pierce defeated Russian teenager Dinara Safina 7-6 (2), 6-3 and will play for the Kremlin Cup title against Francesca Schiavone of Italy.
Schiavone upset fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals and on Sunday will be going for her first WTA championship.
In the men’s semifinals, seventh-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia rallied to beat Dmitry Tursunov 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
On Sunday, Andreev will play sixth-seeded Nicolas Kiefer of Germany, who beat Russian qualifier Igor Kunitsyn 6-2, 6-4.
BA-CA Trophy
VIENNA, Austria – Juan Carlos Ferrero beat third-seeded Radek Stepanek 7-6 (3), 6-3 to advance to the final of the BA-CA Trophy.
In today’s final, Ferrero will face Ivan Ljubicic, who defeated Tommy Robredo 7-6 (2), 6-4.
Thailand Open
BANGKOK, Thailand – Top-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia moved a step closer to her first WTA title, rallying past Antonella Serra Zanetti of Italy 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 91-degree heat to reach the Thailand Open final.
Petrova will play for the championship today against second-seeded Nicole Vaidisova.
The Czech teenager defeated third-seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (3) in the other semifinal.