Blake Advances to Round Two of U.S. Open With Win Over Lacko
August 27, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
American James Blake defeated Lukas Lacko of Slovakia in a close four set match, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the 2012 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It was a tight first set, until the 32-year-old Blake was able to break at 5-5 and hold to take the set 7-5 from the 25-year-old Lacko.
The second set saw Blake easily overpowering Lacko to capture it 6-2. With the momentum in his favor, he expected to take the match in three sets. However, Lacko fought back in the third set and took a lead of 3-1. Blake was only able to gain two more games in the third which Lacko won 6-3.
Blake’s player box, which included top American golfer Sergio Garcia, chanted in his favor in hopes of instilling the much needed motivation to end the match in the fourth. The final set of the match saw Blake regain the needed power to win crucial games at deuce against his Slovakian opponent. The needed motivation was shown by Blake with his victory in the fourth set at 6-3. Blake will now go onto play the outcome of the match between fellow American Denis Kudla and Spain’s Marcel Granollers for his second round opponent.
