Rafael Nadal is into the semi-final of the Sony Ericsson Open after beating James Blake 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the feature match of the day on a packed stadium court, consolidating his first ever victory over the American in last weeks Pacific Life Open.

With three successive winners in the eighth game of the opening set, Blake broke and held to go a set up. The Spaniard fought his way back into contention with a single break in the second set to level at a set all.

Then came the mammoth third game in which Blake failed to put away a smash at break point down and flunked an easy forehand volley to lose his serve.

From there Nadal's resolve grew stronger as Blake's game went south. The American did not win another game as Nadal raced away with the match, clinching it with a third successive break.

"I think we play very tough matches, both Indian Wells and here; very good matches I think", Nadal said. "He start playing so aggressive, I don't have many chances in the beginning. I can't touch the ball. I can't get rhythm in the beginning, nothing. But all the same, I was very focused and serving well."

Speaking about the crucial early break that broke Blake's will in the final set, Nadal said:

"I hit a bad lob I think; anyway, I was lucky because I just managed to touch the ball and it could have gone anywhere."

The early loss of Novak Djokovic would have taken some of the pressure off the world number 2 going into the clay court season, however, the Spaniard would not admit to it.

"Djokovic is very good player", he said. "He can be number 1 or 2 or 3 right now. Doesn't matter. But I try my best in every tournament. If he pass me and he's the number 2 or number 1, we have to accept that and congratulate him. I just try my best and with this tournament, a little bit with more calm. I have to defend a lot of points, he's going to have a lot of chances on clay to pass me. My goal is to try to continue playing like here and play like this, then I am going to have my chances for being in the top position."

Blake's explanation for a poor third set was to blame the heat.

"I guess sometimes they say the heat can affect your mind; maybe it got to my head", Blake explained. "I don't know. Maybe I was up and feeling good about it and just then got passive. I really don't know, and it's frustrating when that happens. That's why I say this one is much more disappointing than last week." 

Andre Jones

Crandon Park

Key Biscayne