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James Blake upsets Rafael Nadal at Masters Cup in Shanghai.
The American James Blake upset second-ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal on Monday to advance in the year ending Masters Cup.
Blake’s 6-4, 7-6 (7-0), victory was his third against the 20-year-old Nadal in ATP events.
With a determination and continued persistence, Blake rallied past Nadal in the first set after being a break down. He then fell into an 0-4 hole in the second set but rallied to take the next 4 games to even the set at 4-4.
Nadal then took the next game and had a chance to send the match to a third set but failed to capitalize on a 30-15 lead and a 5-4 advantage. After double-faulting, Blake rallied to take the game and then built a 6-5 lead himself.
The Spaniard then held serve to force a 6-6 tiebreaker, but that was as close as he could get. With six match points in hand Blake sent a forehand winner down the line to win the match and advance in the $4.45 million Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China.
