Blake Overcomes Cramps to Beat Moya
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

HAMBURG (Germany): Fifth-seeded James Blake overcame thigh cramps to defeat Carlos Moya 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 Monday in the first round of the Hamburg Masters.

Blake became a title contender after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal withdrew, a day after their grueling five-set final at the Rome Masters.

The American needed an injury break for leg cramps before the 11th game of the third set, but he still won the game to take a 6-5 lead. After more treatment during the next changeover, Blake earned two match points on Moya's serve and won on the first with a smash at the net.

Eighth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain, 13th-seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, 16th-seeded David Ferrer of Spain and Christophe Rochus of Belgium also advanced.

Robredo defeated Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2; Nieminen downed Davide Sanguinetti of Italy 5-7, 6-1, 6-4; Ferrer topped Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-4, 6-2; and Rochus defeated Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand, 7-5, 6-1.

Blake easily beat Moya in the opening set of their match, but he struggled in the second, losing three consecutive games to fall behind 5-2. Moya served out the set, using only one of two set points with Blake unable to return an early smash.

The pair traded breaks to open the final set, but Blake's struggles continued and the American handed Moya a pair of break points in the next game. Blake saved the first one and surrendered the second, giving Moya a 2-1 lead.

Blake recovered his serve and evened the score at 3-all. At 4-5 and 30-30, Moya sent a shot long to hand Blake match point, but the Spaniard managed to rally to deuce on a net cord.

Moya then hit the ball into the net to give Blake a second match point, but Blake's forehand landed outside the line. Moya then closed it out to draw to 5-5.●