Home > Tennis > James Blake can he win the Australian Open
by Manisha Maligaspe on 05 January 2007
Email this Article (19) Comments
Free £10 bet when you register at
Right now, no one can steal the spotlight from James Blake, not even King Roger [Federer]. After a horrid 2004 which saw him go through numerous setbacks including a broken neck, a severe case of shingles and the unfortunate death of his father, Blake made a fierce comeback in 2005. Fans around the world witnessed a memorable US Open quarter-final against Andre Agassi, a match which some aficionados labelled the finest ever witnessed at the tournament. Winning two ATP titles that year started what was to be a remarkable turnaround for the New York native.
After winning five ATP titles in 2006, including victories over Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick, Blake wrapped up the year in style by qualifying for a place in the prestigious Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, a tournament only reserved for the world's top eight players. Proving without a doubt that he is definitely a class player, he went all the way, only to be beaten in the final by the genius that is Federer. Despite the outcome, Blake ended the year on a high. His optimism and sheer perseverance in getting there, despite all that he endured, made it a beautiful comeback story.
What would make it even more beautiful would be a Grand Slam. The Australian Open, just days away, is a perfect place to start. Despite early exits from the tournament on previous attempts, Blake's successful run in 2006 will no doubt provide him with the motivation and impetus he needs to go all the way. His exceptionally powerful forehand is considered one of the best in the game and has seen many an opponent succumb.
His powerful serve and speed leave many opponents and fans simultaneously baffled and awestruck, while his backhand shows the result of being worked on. Blake has both the tennis prowess and mental strength to win a major as well as pose a serious challenge to King Roger's dynasty.
His performance in 2006 exemplified what he is capable of, so 2007 should be even brighter for James Blake. It will therefore come as no surprise this Australian summer if the charismatic champion adds the one thing missing in his trophy case.
Can James Blake win a Grand Slam title in 2007? Can he topple Roger Federer and become the world's top-ranked player? Send us your comments.
Comments (19)
by Lance on January 06, 2007
Ofcourse james can win the aus open this year...he'll go all the way ..might meet federer in the finals again but he'll battle that out as he always does..james is one of the best.
by Ani on January 06, 2007
Blake has so much natural talent, and I love watching him play, but I think in the years he wasn't able to compete, he missed some maturity development. I know, it seems like a strange criticism as he seems very calm and mature, but I think he isn't quite as mentally tough as he needs to be to beat Federer (who I feel is really the only person standing in his way as he has beaten almost all the other top players). When he plays well, he gets pumped up and pushes himself harder, but he gets down on himself and implodes. I also think he has some issues with shot selection and going for too much, but that's more minor.
by Nina on January 07, 2007
James Blake is a decent player if anyone deserves to win it would be him. The article is nicely written! Hats off to the writer Manisha Maligaspe!
by Heidi on January 07, 2007
No one will topple Federer as the world no.1, least of all James Blake. Do you even watch tennis? There isn't a player out there that even comes close to TMF's talent, grace, ability, etc. I'm an american, and I would love to see an american achieve the top spot, but I'm not delusional. The Mighty Federer will maintain his ranking, will probably win the grand slam and I'm going to sit back and enjoy him until he decides to retire and then and only then, will anyone else have any kind of chance.
by Tony on January 07, 2007
errr heidi no i don't think this writer is on crack..i agree that james blake has a really good chance at a grand slam title. how can you say no one can topple JB? for crying out loud...Andy Murray beat him not long ago when he hadn't even played much in the big tournaments..rafa nadal has beaten King Roger numerous times... tommy haas..i can go on and on Don't get me wrong i am a huge fan of Federer myself but you can't just write off Blake like some kind of 'walk in the park' for Federer cos he's not. Blake took Federer to five sets just last year, once at the US open and once at the Tennis masters...he's a class player and i agree that a grand slam title for him is just around the corner!
by Nicholas on January 07, 2007
Nadal has beaten Federer so many times...he's not invincible..i love Federer too but i think this just might be James Blake's year..he does have his own style of grace, talent and ability which can lead him all the way to number one
by Osi on January 07, 2007
some of the comments being made here are incredible! james blake has never been past the qf of a grand slam, the only time he has made the qf have been at the uso. to talk of blake winning the aussie open, is ludicrous. and to tony, blake is indeed a walk in the park for federer. i don't know what you have been watching, but it certainly isn't federer-blake matches. federer is 6-0 v blake, and in those 6 matches has lost ONE set. so where you get all this 'blake runs federer' close stuff is beyond me. the writer shouldn't be asking if blake can win the aussie open, but whether he can make the semis, which he has never done.
Osi..you seem to have forgotten that there is a first time for everything... the writer nor i were not saying that JB will meet Federer in the finals or the semi finals or the quarter finals for that matter of the Australian Open..it was just a casual assessment of whether Blake can win a grand slam title...which i think the answer to that is YES.. this article or what i said wasn't about James Blake vs Roger Federer...it was about James Blake..he isn't world number 4 for nothing! All you people suggesting he can't get past Federer are probably just racist and undermining a black brother. Stuff like this will only motivate JB more so it's a win-win situation for him and his fans.
by Mel on January 07, 2007
wow..what are you people psychic that James Blake can't win a grand slam title? Like someone said he isn't the world's 4th best player for nothing. James Blake is continually improving his play as is obvious to all who watch him (those who say he can't win have probably not been watching him lately..especially last year ). Give the guy a chance and don't be so quick to write him off.
by Ric on January 07, 2007
Why all the nasty comments about Blake people?
by JW on January 07, 2007
shut up all you people that think Blake can't win the australian open or a grand slam..so what if he hasn't been past the QF's of a grand slam.. he will one day..maybe if not at the australian open maybe at the French that's on next.
by CFE on January 07, 2007
Blake can't win the australian open..maybe the french though
by lin on January 07, 2007
so much love for james blake hey. I think he is a role model for aspiring tennis players all over the world. also great player who has chance to beat Federer.
by Osi on January 08, 2007
tony, james blake is no4 because he won 5 tournaments last year, none were slams or masters events. he did very well to win those tournaments, but he is hardly some kind of consistent slam performer to be excited about his chances. the proof will be in the results. nothing else. to date his slam results are nothing to shout about. would you disagree? as for your comments about racism, that's just sad. and i happen to be black, if it means anything to you. which it shouldn't, but clearly it does. and to mel, i'm just expressing my opinion that blake is not even in the top 5 contenders in my eyes for the aussie open, in the same way some of you are suggesting he's a rival to federer - lmao. jw, if you think blake can win the french, you obviously don't realise it's played on clay. james blake is a really nice guy it seems, and maybe some of you guys are thinking about that more than what is supposed to be the discussion point, which is tennis.
by alan on January 08, 2007
give james blake a break people.. and DONT underestimate him just like that
by Jason W on January 08, 2007
Look... to make a comparison in a weird way.. Rafael Nadal who is probably almost as good as Roger Federer (he has beaten the maestro after all) has NEVER won against James Blake... does that make sense of the comparison i am trying to make? What i am trying to tell you folks is James is a champion in his own right..and winning the Australian Open of the French or the US or Wimbledon is NOT an impossible task for him.
by GD on January 09, 2007
JB is second to Federer in the amount of titles won in '06..that says a lot of what he's capable... no doubt he'll win a grand slam title in the near future.
by X on January 10, 2007
I watched Federer play Stepanek just earlier today live at Kooyong and Federer showed that he too has flaws...or maybe it was just the hot Australian weather. And then i see the way Blake plays and all i can say is, i agree with those who say you can't rule out the fact that this just might be Blake's grand slam year.
by Osi on January 24, 2007
to james blake, did he lose again before the QF's? who would have thought it?
Add your comment here
PERSONAL ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
First Name
Last Name
Email
Heading
Display your favourite sport or football team badge with your comment.
Sport
League
Team
Comment *
Please enter the text you see in the picture into the textbox below. *