Blake to Meet Hewitt in Stella Artois Final

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American James Blake will meet Lleyton Hewitt in the final of the 2006 Stella Artois Championships on Sunday after ending the three-year reign of Andy Roddick in the semifinals.

Blake recorded his first ever victory in seven meetings against his countryman Roddick, coming through 7-5, 6-4 in 1 hour, 14 minutes to end Roddick’s 18-match winning streak in the tournament. It was Roddick’s first defeat at The Queen’s Club since making his debut here in 2001, when he lost to Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

“I told Andy after the match it was the best grass court match I think I've ever played,” said Blake. “It's unfortunate for him that it was against him. It's tough against one of your best friends, but he's gotten me plenty of times. I had to get him back just once.”

Despite the defeat, Roddick was quick to praise his opponent. “I think a lot of credit should go to James today,” said Roddick. “It's not often I've served 77 percent first serves with one double?fault and gotten broken three times in a two?set match, especially serving with the pace that I was today. I hit a couple stupid shots. That overhead in the second set probably was a huge turning point.

“But if someone can take full swings on my best serves all day and, you know, hit winners or hit forcing shots off of them, then it's too good.”

Blake, the World No. 7 who is seeded fifth here this week, had not won a set against Roddick since their first meeting in the final in Memphis more than four years ago. But the 26-year-old from Yonkers, New York put himself in the driving seat after breaking Roddick’s serve in the opening game of the match.

Blake then served for the set at 5-4 but failed to capitalise on his opportunity, losing his serve to love as the three-time Queen’s Club champion hit back to level. However, Blake broke for a second time, and, given another chance to close out the set, he did so with his third ace of the match.

The second set went with serve until the fifth game, when Blake’s deep return hit the baseline to give him a 3-2 lead. Serving for a place in his fourth final of the year, Blake double faulted on his first match point, but hit a clean backhand winner on his second to become only the second player to defeat Roddick at The Queen’s Club. Blake also joins Roger Federer as the only players in the last three years to upset Roddick on grass.

“Today I just figured I have to go for it,” said Blake. “I can't wait back and just push. It's grass courts, and it's his serve, so there's no way I can do that and be effective. I had to take my chances.”

And Blake has loved every minute of his time at the Stella Artois Championships this year so far. “It’s been great,” said Blake. “I stay in Wimbledon Village and get one house for three, four ? hopefully four weeks. It's a good feeling to unpack once and know you're going to be at the same place the whole time. My brother's been cooking me up eggs and toast every morning. It's pretty funny because he doesn't ever cook at home ? or anywhere. It's great that he's doing that. Feels kind of comfortable. We've got everything we need. It's nice also to be somewhere where everyone speaks English so I don't need to try to have a translator around or whatever like at the French Open. But it's a good feeling. It's been a lot of fun so far this year.”

In the first semifinal, three-time champion Hewitt came back from a break down in the final set to defeat British favourite Tim Henman in three sets. Hewitt will be looking for his first title since January 2005 and will be hoping to join John McEnroe and Boris Becker as the only four-time winners of the Stella Artois Championships.

Hewitt won his first six matches against Blake, although the American claimed his first win over the Australian in the Las Vegas final earlier this year, the second of Blake’s two titles in 2006 (Sydney). Sunday’s final will be their first ever meeting on grass.

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