Nadal downs Blake to earn semi-final spot

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

MIAMI (AFP) — World number two Rafael Nadal rallied for a three-set victory over James Blake Wednesday to book his semi-final berth at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Nadal, seeded second behind world number one Roger Federer, defeated Blake 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 as he moved a step closer to his first title of 2008.

It was the Spaniard's second victory over Blake in as many starts, following his quarter-final win over the American at Indian Wells.

Prior to that, Blake had won the first three career meetings between the two. In the semi-finals, Nadal will face either Czech Tomas Berdych or Russian Igor Andreev, who were to play on Wednesday night.

In women's action fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic reached the semi-finals when Russia's Elena Dementieva retired...