First off, let’s get one thing straight, Blake is without a doubt my favorite tennis player. I grew up one age division behind him in New England Juniors, competed against many of the same players, and as a result, I probably have plenty of indirect wins over him- making me, indirectly, one of the best tennis players around. It’s been a thrill watching him progress through the years, struggle with all he went through a couple years back, all culminating (so far anyways) in ending 2006 as the best U.S. player, and winning more tournaments than anyone last year besides Federer or Nadal. However, there has been much written recently, and there will be more after his loss yesterday to 103 ranked Ivo Karlovic, of Blake’s seemingly inability to come through in the clutch and win when it matter’s most. His inability to win 5-setters is shocking, and he has not come through lately in Davis Cup, losing most recently to Berdych, and last year to Youhzny and Gonzalez. And ever since his captivating 5-set loss to Agassi in the quarters of the 2005 US Open, the expectations for his Grand Slam results have risen, but he has failed to produce. Or has he? (more…)
