Blake bid for another Stockholm title cut short by Nieminen

Oct 22, 2011, 13:57 GMT

Stockholm - James Blake lost his bid for a possible third title at the Stockholm Open on Saturday, as the American veteran went down to Finn Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-2 in their semi-final.

It was the fourth Stockholm meeting for the pair, with 2005 and 2006 champion Blake winning their final five years ago. He also won quarter-finals in 2007 and 2010 to stand 6-1 in the series going in.

But Nieminen, 30, with one career trophy earned five years ago in Auckland, came out with victory on his mind and played aggressively to claim the finals spot in just over two hours of battle.

'This was pretty close to my best,' said the winner, now 21-22 on the season as he surpassed his previous 2011 best of a Bangkok quarter-final three weeks ago.

'It's one of the top 10 wins of my career. I'm pleased with how I played. I varied my serve and took advantage of it in a smart way. I stayed aggressive all the way through.'

Niemimen is a perpetual crowd favourite among Swedes, who had only one player of their own in this year's edition.

The 73rd-ranked Finn claimed the first set in 47 minutes. But Blake, 60th, held off five break points in the 11th game of the second for a 6-5 lead, which he backed up by serving out for one set apiece.

The third began with three consecutive breaks before Nieminen took the 3-2 lead. He broke Blake for insurance in the seventh game and served out the victory on his first match point from a Blake error.

'I was angry with the way that I played,' said Blake, 31, who has missed much of the last few seasons due to injury. 'I had chances and I didn't take them. Jarkko played more aggressive and served better than I've even seen him do.'

Nieminen will play for the trophy on Sunday against either top seed Gael Monfils or sixth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic.

Nieminen now stands 22-11 in Stockholm.

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