Back home from the U.S. Open

Hey guys. I'm back at home in Connecticut now. The U.S. Open is always a little hectic and this year proved no different. It wasn't exactly the final result i was looking for. I won a five setter in the first match against an American player Donald Young. He played well, but it was a good feeling to win a five setter when it was 4-4 in the fifth I played a good game and closed it out. That's a good feeling and physically I felt strong. Unfortunately in the third round I came up against my best friend on tour, Mardy Fish. He played an excellent match and beat me in straight sets. He served and returned really well. I felt a little flat out there, but he had a lot to do with that because of the way he played. If there's anyone I want to see do well this year, it's Mardy and Andy. They are still alive in the tournament and they are both playing great tennis. But as for me, I'm back home and need to put the racquets down for a few days. Sometimes that's tough for me, but it seems like all the tennis I've played over the last few years seems to be catching up to me. For me, that kind of time off means hitting the golf course up here in Connecticut with my friends and brother. I'm not a very good golfer, but I love being competitive at something that we can all enjoy. And with the handicaps it makes it fun to still play with all my friends that are much better golfers than me. So now I'll play some more golf and the next time I have to travel is for my charity event in Richmond, Virginia on the 12th of September. That is always fun, and this year it will be with and Roddick and the Bryan twins. It's always a good time with them. I hope we can put on a good show for the fans down there. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the Open and I'll get back with you guys again soon. Now it's time for your chance to win a copy of 2K Top Spin 3. Best three answers win. What is your favorite upset moment of the U.S. Open? JB

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• squints said September 03, 2008

  The Jimmy Connors run back in the 90s. Not sure who he beat, but there were some upsets (I think).

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• OJoi77 said September 03, 2008

  Can't wait to see you guys in Richmond. This will be my second year attending this event. As a matter of fact this will be my second tennis match. Enjoy your time off!

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• sambot said September 03, 2008

  this year? if zheng had pulled the upset over jankovic this year that would've been my favorite by far. the ivanovic upset was pretty awesome, albeit completely unexpected.

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• BeenTo2SUs said September 03, 2008

  First and foremost: THANKS for continuing to blog here, James. Tennis fans are the luckiest Yardbarkers of them all.
  
  My favorite US Open upset on the men's side is Pat Rafter beating Pete Sampras in the 1998 US Open semifinal, for several reasons: 1) in a particularly tense moment in the match, a fan yelled to Rafter, "This is your house Pat!", because Rafter won the title the previous year, 2) I loved but hated to watch Rafter's serve and volley game - it seemed so not-the-norm and so high risk, my heart would be in my throat every time he'd rush the net, and 3) because Rafter had just defeated Sampras - on a somewhat controversial line call - just a few weeks early, and that was Rafter's first win against Sampras in like 4 or 5 years, so it was awesome to see Rafter finally pull it off.
  
  My favorite US Open upset on the women's side: When Kim Clijsters wrecked shop in 2005, beating Venus Williams (who won Wimbledon that year!), Maria Sharapova, and Mary Pierce to finally win a Major.

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• Reneeskates said September 03, 2008

  well i've watched bits and pieces but i enjoyed yesterday's game with federer and andreev which was an exciting match. it was weird to see federer struggle to win against him as he has struggled this year but i actually was excited when he swung back so to speak and won. it really looked like he wasn't going to beat him.

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• yankees94 said September 03, 2008

  Robby Ginepri's string of upsets to the semifinals a few years ago was pretty cool.

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• Jobatime62 said September 03, 2008

  The same year James beat Rudsedski, Nadal, and Berdych on his way to a quarterfinal berth after getting into the field as a wild card

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• Jobatime62 said September 03, 2008

  My two favorite was when in 2005, Giles Muller pulled an amazing upset over Roddick in the first round while American express decided to do the "has Andy lost his mojo?" campaign. My other favorite was when Ginepri made it to the semifinals and when in the quarters, he faced the 8 seed Coria. They played one point where they rallied for a long time and the both ended up on one side of the net at the end of the point and they high fived.

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• craan1 said September 03, 2008

  Sampras had a great run in 2002 at the US Open. Coming into the tournament he had not won a Grand Slam in a couple years, and many wondered when he would hang it up. He made his way through the US Open field of youth with a seeding that was unusually high for Pete and ended up playing his biggest rival in Agassi for the crown. We know the rest, he won, and he retired. Truly historic, a great upset of sorts.

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• victory said September 03, 2008

  James
  IWe'll see you in Richmond VA at Anthem Live. on Sept 12. 3 years now that we've attended Anthem Live and we are inspired by the great work you are doing for Cancer Research in memory of your Father.
  Glad you are resting up after a lot of Tennis. Best upsets: Arthur Ashe over Jimmy Conners to take the Wimbeldon Title and of course in total agreement with Jobatimes62: The same year James beat Rudsedski, Nadal, and Berdych on his way to a quarterfinal berth after getting into the field as a wild card.
  
  We Love you James Riley Blake amd looking forward to 2009!
  
  ~victory~

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• PatesPeg said September 03, 2008

  Any JB win is always a favorite, whether an upset or not. My other favorite upset was in the 1991 Open when Jimmy Conners beat Aaron Krickstein 7-4 in the fifth in a match that lasted almost 5 hours. He had a string of upsets that unfortunately included Patrick McEnroe in the first round, also in five sets.
  My least favorite upset was Mardy Fish over James Blake this year. Tough open this year. The highlight since James lost was Andy taking out Gonzo.
  Thanks to Tennis Channel for the JB replays of Davis Cup matches and No Strings this week.
  
  

  

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  • PatesPeg replied September 03, 2008

    Sorry about the picture--I attached it accidentally. Just a senior moment. You can tell I am old since I remember the old days so well.
  • PatesPeg replied September 04, 2008

    7-4??? How about 6-4 after being down 2-5.
• kinetic said September 03, 2008

  Good job at the open!! Fish is a really good player! You are just as good, if not better. You two being friends is really awesome. I went to see the day session yesterday, saw Federer barely win in 5 sets, Djokovic as well. What crazy 5 set games! It was great. Hope you have fun golfing!

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• viajosh said September 04, 2008

  No question the upset of the year was the unknown qualifier Coin beating #1 see Jankovic. I was actually there in the stands and it was one hell of a match, the energy was electric in the final set. Best moment was Coin double-faulting on match point but then getting her head back in the game and still closing it out. She was so psyched on the final point she smacked the ball up into the third tier of seats! One of the most exciting matches I've ever seen at the Open.

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  • viajosh replied September 04, 2008

    Here's a photo I took right after she won.

    
• Back_In_Time said September 03, 2008

  I'd definitely say Pete Sampras's streak of wins in 1990 when he was 19. He beat Ivan Lendl in five sets (ending Lendl's streak of 8 straight US Open final appearances). Then he beat John McEnroe who won the Open in 1989. Finally he beat Andre Agassi in the final (and we all know how amazing the Sampras/Agassi rivalry is). This is the beginning of arguably the greatest tennis player in the world.

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• dicebabe said September 03, 2008

  MY favorite was James beating Federer at the Olympics - I was soooo excited, it was awesome to watch! Rest up James. PS You looked like you were upset with the JBlock during the Mardy match...!? Were they disrespectful?? dicebabe@gmail.com

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• NickRall said September 04, 2008

  Good run this year James, tough loss at the Open but Mardy was playing great, best I've seen him play in awhile. I was able to go to the Open when you played Darcis and watched the whole match, I was pretty upset that he retired but on the other hand happy because I was able to see your interview and almost got up close enough to get an autograph. I would like to attend the event in Richmond, but since I am from PA and with school started it would be tough. I hope you enjoy your time off from now until then, and let's go get em next season. Thanks for continuing to blog it is always great to see an athlete take time to let their fans know what is going on.
  
  My favorite upset in the Open has been Gilles Mullers run this year to the Quarters against Federer. He has taken out some great players including Davydenko, Almagro, and Haas, and lets not forget that this man also had to go through qualifying to get into the tournament. The cinderella strory would be complete if by some chance Muller could take out Federer today during their match in the quartes.
  
  One last time great year James, and I am looking forward to seeing you play at a couple tournaments next season. Keep up the good work and have a great time golfing with your friends, and brother.
  

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• willnole said September 04, 2008

  Because of the time differences (between places of different time zones) I didn't read the passage until just now. The US Open will come to the end soon. Maybe it is not remarkable memory. But we know you win a five setter in the first match, you are great. And that is enough.
  
  I hope you can come to Beijing again to join the China Open in 2009. If you can join in 2010, that will be better, because I will graduate from senior high school in 2010. No matter how busy I am, I will go to see your match. I promise.
  
  At last, Hope you have fun golfing, too!

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• vnguyen said September 04, 2008

  While this one was definitely sad for me, I'd have to say Benjamin Becker's upset over Andre Agassi in his US Open finale in 2006. Not only was Andre's determination amazing, but the standing ovation and his speech made it -in my opinion- one of the most special US Open moments ever.

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• ducoing said September 04, 2008

  1991 when Monica Seles upset Martina Navratilova....and I flunked my economics test because I was watching instead of studing!!
  
  NS (mexico)

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• victory said September 04, 2008

  U.S. Keeps Cup Team in Place Yet Again
  By RAY KRUEGER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
  Published: September 5, 2008
  The United States Davis Cup team that will face Spain was announced, and once again it will be Andy Roddick and JAMES BLAKE playing singles and the Bryan brothers playing doubles. GO James Blake and USA AVIS CUP TEAM. BEAT SPAIN ............WE'LL BE TUNED IN TO TENNIS CHANNEL AND VERSUS SEP 19-21!
  ~victory~
  

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• bart3215 said September 05, 2008

  Well I haven't been watching Tennis for too long, when I was younger I watched but wasn't really paying attention to specifics. Watching this year, I really enjoyed Nishikori's upset against Ferrer. There was a few moments where I though Nishikori would give it away. But it was a great match. I felt that Nishikori made a great stride by advancing, unfortunately he lost.

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• jblock92 said September 05, 2008

  No doubt my favorite upset of any US Open occurred this year. Ever since Kei Nishikori defeated my favorite player, you in Delray to take the title, I started watching him and becoming a fan. I saw him retire in wimbledon due to injury and was mad and saw some other poor results in other tournaments. I was thrilled to see him take a set of Nadal in Queens club though. In a 3rd round matchup in the US Open, Kei Nishikori was playing the number 4, David Ferrer. Already he had upset 2 players making it there. He went up 2 sets, but Ferrer took the next 2. Nishikori broke Ferrer for the win in the 5th set with a forehand winner and I was up yelling and cheering in excitement. Nishikori described this as the best win of his career. He is the first Japanese Male to make the round of 16 at the US Open in the current era. This was the most watched tennis event in Japan ever and his next round matchup was purposely delayed in New York until after 7pm so in Japan it would be after 7am and people could watch it in Japan.

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• PatesPeg said September 06, 2008

  Congratulations on being named to the Davis Cup Team once again. Looking forward to the tie with Spain. We are always proud to have you represent our country. I think this team can win the championship again. USA USA USA

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  • PatesPeg replied September 09, 2008

    Was looking forward to seeing you play Davis Cup, but can certainly understand the need for a break. Will look forward to your next tournament with great anticipation.
• Steve13 said September 07, 2008

  Well, by rankings I know it wasn't really an upset, but the match that made me a huge fan of Roddick in 2003 when he beat Nalbandian on his way to the US Open title. He was two sets and a match point down in the semi's. So I think from that we can at least determine it an amazing comeback, but I also think it fits into the upset category. Just a really incredible match.

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• sara_normand said September 07, 2008

  I'm going to have to go with Murray's upset of the #1 player in the world, Rafa Nadal, that just happened! Andy has been playing great this year. Congrats to him

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• JohnStearns said September 10, 2008

  James, will we see you in the Davis Cup by chance?

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• Jobatime62 said September 10, 2008

  Its too bad that you can't play in the davis cup, hopefully the U.S will still win. Hopefully, you will be back in full force soon.

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• victory said September 11, 2008

  Davis Cup Champion James Rilley Blake
  You MOST honorably represented your Country and the game of tennis at the Olympics. You derserve the time for rest and so glad you are taking time out to do so. We'll be cheering you on for Shanghai and getting ready for James Blake Tennis in 2009.
  ~ victory ~

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• mpaulk said September 12, 2008

  I'm not actually sure if it was an upset but I liked this year's Murray vs. Nadal match - it was perfect - so much drama, great tennis and some a bit unexpected twists and a win against a reining champion. I'm Polish so I must say that the all-the-time upset I liked the most was from last year when Agnieszka Radwanska def. then no. 1 Maria Sharapova.

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• Tennisidentity said September 14, 2008

  Agree that the Murray vs. Nadal match was best upset of the Open. Get some rest James. We want to see you back. What do you think of the Sam Querry pick to replace you on the Davis Cup team?

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• Tennisidentity said September 16, 2008

  On the women's side, best upset was Jankovic over Venus.

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• justwindeja said November 12, 2008

  Hey James I love your forehenad and style, It seems like you are getting better. Do you think you are?
  Also hey can you check out my tennis video when you get a chance?
  Deja 12 years old
  http://www.youtube.com/user/JustWinDeja

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