Tennis

Blake, Ginepri named to Cup squad

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published September 8, 2005

NEW YORK - Just weeks ago, they were mere afterthoughts to many. Now James Blake of Tampa and Robby Ginepri are benefiting from strong runs at the U.S. Open in more ways than one. Both were named to the U.S. Davis Cup squad Wednesday, joining Andy Roddick and the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan, captain Patrick McEnroe announced. The Americans face Belgium on the road Sept. 23-25.

Blake, ranked No. 49, is 8-3 in Davis Cup play but hasn't represented the U.S. since 2003. Ginepri, No. 46, is 2-0 in Davis Cup.

Though each is sure to rise in the rankings that come out after the Open, both currently fall well below another American, No. 27 Taylor Dent. But Dent had quick exits in his past three events and uses a serve-and-volley style that hasn't produced great results on clay, the surface on which the next Davis Cup round will be played.

"We expect a tough match," McEnroe said. "Andy has been the stalwart of the team and the Bryans have been clutch in doubles for us lately. James and Robby have stepped up this summer and are playing exceptional tennis."

HEAD GAMES: Blake's surprising run at the Open is the result of a change in attitude, not an upgrade in physical skills or conditioning, said ESPN commentator Luke Jensen, a former tour player who was Blake's hitting partner before his opening-round match against Greg Rusedski. The player who once tossed rackets in anger and sometimes struggled under the weight of the big-match pressure has shown a calm resolve in recent tournaments.

"I've always known how talented James Blake is," Jensen said hours before Blake's quarterfinal Wednesday against Andre Agassi. "It's not that his game is different. It's his demeanor."

ODDS AND ENDS: Mary Pierce is only the second French player to reach the women's semifinal in the Open era. Amelie Mauresmo, whom she defeated Wednesday, was the first in 2002. The Bryan brothers are the second doubles team to reach the final of all four Grand Slam events of a season in the past 53 years. They were runnersup at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

A game after losing her serve while ahead 5-3, Pierce broke back to take the opening set against Mauresmo.

Martina Navratilova, who at 48 teamed with Anna-Lena Groenefeld to beat the second-seeded team of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alicia Molik 6-7 (7-5), 7-5, 7-5 to reach the doubles semifinals.

Mauresmo had more double faults (4-1) and unforced errors (19-11) than Pierce and converted only one of four break chances.

In his quarterfinal against Ginepri, Guillermo Coria doubled faulted on the final two points of the match. He finished with 14.

LAST WORD: "If you don't have passion for life then you might as well not be living. I show it probably more than other people. I've always worn my emotions. And the passion for the game never left." - Navratilova

[Last modified September 8, 2005, 01:50:14]