Blake loses to Gonzalez
2008-08-15 17:21
Beijing - Fernando Gonzalez saved three match points on Friday to beat James Blake of the United States 4-6 7-5 11-9 and advance to the Olympic tennis final.
Gonzalez fell behind 5-6, love-40 serving in the final set. But the Chilean hit four consecutive winners to hold, and on his fifth match point in the final game, he smacked a serve that Blake hit into the net.
After the match, Blake accused Gonzalez of failing to fess up on a disputed point two games before the finish.
"I've spoken all week about how much I've enjoyed the Olympic experience, how much I love the spirit of it," Blake said. "That's a disappointing way to exit the tournament, when you not only lose the match, but you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor."
The incident that upset Blake occurred with Gonzalez serving at 8-9 in the final set. On the first point, Blake hit a backhand passing shot long but contended the ball ticked Gonzalez's racket before landing, as TV replays confirmed.
Blake appealed in vain to the chair umpire, and said Gonzalez should have conceded the point.
Uncertain
"Playing in the Olympics, in what's supposed to be considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself," Blake said. "Fernando looked me square in the eye and didn't call it."
Gonzalez said he was uncertain whether the ball hit his racket.
"I didn't feel anything," Gonzalez said. "I mean, it's just one point. There is an umpire. If I'm 100% sure about it, I mean, I will give it. But I'm not sure."
Blake described Gonzalez as a great player who does everything in his power to win, "usually" within the rules.
"Whatever he wants to say is fine," Blake said. "Whatever is going to get him to have some sleep tonight, then that's fine."
The eighth-seeded Blake, a first-time Olympian at 28 and the last hope for a US medal in singles, still has a shot at the bronze.
Winner
After beating Roger Federer on Thursday, Blake showed no sign of an upset hangover. He served well against Gonzalez, winning 15 consecutive service points at one stretch, and repeatedly negated the big-swinging Chilean's forehand by pinning him deep in baseline rallies.
Seeded 12th, Gonzalez will play in Sunday's final against the winner of the later match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Federer kept alive a bid for the first medal of his career by winning a rain-interrupted doubles match with Swiss partner Stanislas Wawrinka. They advanced to a semi-final match later Friday against top-seeded Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States by beating Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes of India 6-2 6-4.
Venus and Serena Williams, both eliminated in singles Thursday, completed a suspended second-round doubles match and beat Ayumi Morita and Ai Sugiyama of Japan, 7-5 6-2.
The two doubles matches were suspended at 01:15 because of rain and resumed 15 hours later.
- AP