Cincy R1: Istomin def. Blake 6-3 6-0

Disgraceful from James . Somebody who got a WC should try to fight at least . Sad to watch

Worst effort I've ever seen.

Disgraceful from James . Somebody who got a WC should try to fight at least . Sad to watch

Strategic tank

It's not so much that James played badly that irritates me.

It's more that he took a wildcard and then there was so little intensity, so little apparent interest in being there.

I mean, come on, let's see some visible level of effort. That second set was complete bollocks.

Tough one for Denis.

thanks for the money, enjoy your bagel

What a love and devotion by Blake :inlove:

James is the next WTA #1. Wait. I am not even sure he can make it even in that minor league

J.Blake :(

Commentator put it well, if you ask for a WC, at least put up some fight. This was disgraceful.

Please retire James, you're a joke. If I'd come across him right now, I'd punch him for this effort. He took away the WC for Harrison, Sweeting or Smyczek.

a 45 minute long match

what a disgustingly ebarrassing display by blake, a complete waste of a wild card here

he made himself look very stupid today

If it was Davydenko instead of Blake there would have been a lot of question marks and he might have been fined for lack of effort

Farewell tournament at the US Open? He's going to run out of wildcards, and be down around 150 pretty soon.

At the end of the US Open, James will have to take a decision.

what an ass hole

hopefully this will be the last year of his shitty tennis.

James has two tournaments to go before he has to make a decision where he's headed 2-4 record so far during the N.A. hard court season with one of those wins coming from a choking opponent doesn't sound very promising for his chances. His ranking going to continue going south and he's struggling. If he wasn't injured today then there is absolutely no excuse for that abomination of "tennis" he displayed today. Either show up healthy and ready to give it your all, or don't show up.

Blake may be shitty but he can still beat Murray and Nadal which is saying something.

Just looking at the Hawkeye stats, pretty clear where Blake went wrong. Istomin was 3' behind the baseline average, sensible enough. Blake was taking those balls coming at him at an average of spot on the baseline, and just couldn't time them - unsurprising given his lack of match practice, on a fast court, in the heat, vs the flat power of Istomin.

hopefully this will be the last year of his shitty tennis.

One word to flake














































RETIRE

Maybe James has mono

James should play challengers.

thanks for the money, enjoy your bagel

exactly.

thank you blake for playing like this over and over :wavey:

Its the fact hes a wild card which is so infuriating.

solid this flake

Can it get any worse?

Maybe James has mono

Lol, i heard he had a mild, mild case.
The Good Ole Boys Club is breaking up fast. Blakes done, Rodd's flailing and Fish/Querry cant string together two decent tournaments.

New balls, please.

hopefully Blake retires this year:shrug:

Like others have said, it isn't the fact that he sucked, it is the fact that he got a wild card and displayed the most pathetic effort and attitude I have ever seen from the 1st game of the match on. He really should be suspended from the tour for what he did today. It was completely disrespectful to the fans, who even tried to lift up Blake.

Its the fact hes a wild card which is so infuriating.

Kei Nishikori or Ricardas Berankis deserved the wildcard.


Blake is a lazy mofo who thinks he is TOO BIG to play challengers,GOAT Andre Agassi did it.


Hes retiring after the USO anyway, so long flake take your ATP pension.

Seriously, WTF?!! He played well in LA, and then this.

Istomin is a really good player, think he will be in top 30 very soon

The US Open is honoring James Blake this year so he might be retiring soon.

Opening Night Ceremony (http://www.usopen.org/2010_us_open_opening_night_celebrates_those_who_dr eam_succeed_and_inspire/)
The Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan. The primetime ceremony will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC News’ “This Week,” and will feature a special musical performance by award-winning performer Gloria Estefan.

The US Open is honoring James Blake this year so he might be retiring soon.

Opening Night Ceremony (http://www.usopen.org/2010_us_open_opening_night_celebrates_those_who_dr eam_succeed_and_inspire/)
The Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan. The primetime ceremony will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC News’ “This Week,” and will feature a special musical performance by award-winning performer Gloria Estefan.

Tennis great? James Blake? Tennis Great? Wait. James and Great? This is a sick joke.

The crowd was cheering wildly for his random winners. Seem like he won about 30% or less of the points in the 2nd set. I have always DESPISED Blake's bratty, cocky attitude like he is "THE MAN"... Glad to see him lose so bad. Too bad it wasn't 6-0,6-0 in 25 minutes though. :(

tennis greats should never have Navratilova and Blake in the same sentence.That is an insult to Navratilova:o:o:o

Tennis great? James Blake? Tennis Great? Wait. James and Great? This is a sick joke.

To even mention Martina in the same sentence with James is insulting to her. It's sad how Americans are so full of their own hype when it comes to tennis players who are scrubs.

Sorry to say but Blake seems to be done. This was a shockingly bad performance and he hasn't looked good to me at any point during the NA hardcourt swing. Just one bad performance after another. He just doesn't have any dynamic to his game anymore. It's sad and painful to watch.

istomin is a top talent but that was really pathetic from blake... really embarrassing especially as a wild-card here

Yeah.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Istomin. He is sexy and I love his tennis. Did I mention that he is sexy and that I would be his slave lol?

Holy shit James! :unsure: :o

Well hopefully this means I'll never ever have to put up with the J-Block ever again

Petchey just called Istomin a "poor man's Kafelnikov".

The new PMK

The US Open is honoring James Blake this year so he might be retiring soon.

Opening Night Ceremony (http://www.usopen.org/2010_us_open_opening_night_celebrates_those_who_dr eam_succeed_and_inspire/)
The Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan. The primetime ceremony will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC News’ “This Week,” and will feature a special musical performance by award-winning performer Gloria Estefan.

This is a travesty. Are they really short of legends to honor? A 0-time Grand-Slam semifinalist, geez!

Blake beside Martina Navratilova :help: mega taseless joke.

blake a tennis great?
muahahahhahahahhahahhahaha

blake couldnt even make a grand slam semifinal....EVER!

blake is just a clueless and brainless ballbashing fool.

cincy tournament should be scrapped, no atmosphere, no energy, no nothing.
a complete waste of space this tournament.

i say put miami/indian wells in cincy's place.
i might send an email to the ATP suggesting some changes, lets see if i get a reply back.

The US Open is honoring James Blake this year so he might be retiring soon.


The Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan. The primetime ceremony will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC News’ “This Week,” and will feature a special musical performance by award-winning performer Gloria Estefan.[/indent]

Blake seems to inspire........he's inspiring a lot of hate at the moment :lol:

embarrassing

why take a WC for such a display

What a disappointment from James. :sad: :o
Hope he can rebounce in New Heaven and USO.

how is blake a great? what an insult to martina

American tennis fans will get to enjoy Blake on TV as a commentator/analyst for the next 30 years too. Lucky people. :inlove:

:o

Decision time for James is very close. Sad performance today. He simply looks like he'd rather be somewhere else.

Blake in current form is worth of cleaning Navratilova's shoes at best on Arthur Ashe stadium :D

Blake is the equal of a bye in mens tennis :o

Here's where Blake needs to go right quick:

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2010-02-09-retirementlane.jpg

Kei Nishikori or Ricardas Berankis deserved the wildcard.


Blake is a lazy mofo who thinks he is TOO BIG to play challengers,GOAT Andre Agassi did it.


Hes retiring after the USO anyway, so long flake take your ATP pension.

I was hoping Berankis was playing here.

Stories about Blake's diva attitude about appearance fees in recent years make him even less endearing. This performance sounds disgraceful, especially if it's keeping younger US players from having a chance. But he's always been so entitled.

What a year, too -- it's starting to rival his adventures in Las Vegas. This match sounds like it deserved to be called over loudspeaker by Shriver. I'd hardly wish that on anyone.

blake a tennis great?
muahahahhahahahhahahhahaha

blake couldnt even make a grand slam semifinal....EVER!

blake is just a clueless and brainless ballbashing fool.

cincy tournament should be scrapped, no atmosphere, no energy, no nothing.
a complete waste of space this tournament.

i say put miami/indian wells in cincy's place.
i might send an email to the ATP suggesting some changes, lets see if i get a reply back.


I love your positive energy.

Q. Are you giving yourself any kind of timeline as far as if it the injuries keep going on and the play doesn’t get up to the level, any expectations or anything like that?

JAMES BLAKE: No, I’ve never really set any expectations. As long as I don’t have any regrets when I’m done. There’s kind of two ways to look at it here: I could keep trying the same thing I’ve been trying, but I’m gonna maybe need some rest after the Open, more than just a day here and there.

So I think what I’ll most likely do is reassess and take some time after the Open and hopefully come back healthier, better, and with the ability to put in a lot of time on the practice court with Kelly and get ready for maybe the indoors in the fall.

Then see if that works. If that doesn’t work, I’ll start thinking of other options. I don’t know how many more are left after that other than the rest and recovery. But if it doesn’t get back, you know, I knew at some point my body was gonna give out probably. I hope it’s not this year; I hope it’s not next year; I hope it’s not for a few years. But right now it’s testing my patience.

Q. Do you still believe in yourself?

JAMES BLAKE: Absolutely. I believe that I can still play the way I used to. I believe I can still hopefully improve. I know I can improve from today, that’s for sure.

It’s tough to go in and have the same confidence you used to have every single match when you haven’t prepared the way you used to. And I haven’t been able to prepare — last week I thought was gonna be my first week where I was gonna be able to prepare and work, and some other little injuries popped up. That’s getting frustrating.

If I can get back to feeling like I can prepare that way, then, yeah, I believe I can be back with the top players. But it’s gonna take some rest, and then it’s gonna take maybe some luck in staying healthy for a while.

Q. In addition to putting in the practice time after the Open, there are obviously some 1000 tournaments overseas after the US Open. Would you consider playing some doubles with a good partner?
JAMES BLAKE: No. I’m not going to Asia just to play doubles. Like I said, I’m gonna need rest. That’s not rest. As much as it might seem like doubles is easy, it’s still taxing on the body. I’m not gonna put myself through that.

Because that’s sort of my been my problem, I think. Now I’m 20/20 hindsight, but all the times I’ve tried to rest in the past I’ve still been doing other stuff. I’ve still been lifting weights, I’ve still been doing core work in the pool, and whatever else needs to be done as much as I possibly can do.

Maybe my body is telling me that there is a time for a real break. I haven’t had an actual vacation in probably five, six years. So maybe it’s time to take a little break and take a step back and put the racquets down. I hear about a lot other guys after the season really putting the racquets down for a while, and I’ve never been the type that can do that. I want to get back out on the court.

You know what, maybe after the Open it’s time to put ‘em down for a couple weeks and see where my head’s at and body’s at after that.

Q. A couple weeks rather than a month or two?
JAMES BLAKE: We’ll see. (Smiling.) I mean, you probably caught me at my — what’s gotten me successful and what’s probably hurting me right now is it should be a month, and instead I want to make a couple weeks because I want to get back out there as quickly as possible.
But it should be a little longer probably. Like I said, we’ll see how I feel at that point. If I’m getting stir crazy and want to get back out on the court or if I can — my coach might need to hide my racquets and keep me off the court for a little while if it comes to that.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tennis/2010/08/17/more-from-blake/

time to hang up the headband

he gets a break right after Miami until after Wimbledon every goddamn year so how can he feel tired?:tape:

Every week is a different story with this guy. In Los Angeles, he thought he was back to consistently playing on the tour, and now he wants to have more rest? This guy is a lost cause if he thinks rest will fix his woes. He should've had surgery last year but that was too logical for James so he chose to just beat a dead horse instead.

At least last year he made two finals (Queen's and Estoril), this year has been awful for James. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-scared002.gif

Blake's heart is not in the game anymore and it's ugly having to watch him lose to players he should be steamrolling over. If his career ended today, I can honestly say that for the most part, he spent a great deal of his career as an underachiever.

Ouch. To be fair this didn't seem like a great matchup from the start, but that's frustrating to watch.

he should be fined for lack of effort :o

embarrassing

why take a WC for such a display

For the points. If Blake was having to play to stay on tour, he'd have been out by now.

And people should not be surprised that they are calling Blake, who's biggest win was an ISG event in the U.S. when Paradorn did everything he could to choke it away, a tennis great. They are doing it for the same reason they named the stadium after Arthur Ashe, despite the fact that he was surrounded by much greater American players and one of the most boring and technical players ever.

I don't want him to retire, because he's going to ruin so many matches as a commentator, but I want him to have to play for his ranking, not just accept WC's and have a run once a year when the draw is weak enough, like all of his runs.

It's quite strange that the injuries are so debilitating for James. Have a look on Pat Rafter. He played the whole season of 2001 with a serious shoulder injury and was able to get into the finals of Wimbledon, Montreal, Cincinnati or semis of Miami... Why Pat could and James is not able ?

For the points. If Blake was having to play to stay on tour, he'd have been out by now.

And people should not be surprised that they are calling Blake, who's biggest win was an ISG event in the U.S. when Paradorn did everything he could to choke it away, a tennis great. They are doing it for the same reason they named the stadium after Arthur Ashe, despite the fact that he was surrounded by much greater American players and one of the most boring and technical players ever.

I don't want him to retire, because he's going to ruin so many matches as a commentator, but I want him to have to play for his ranking, not just accept WC's and have a run once a year when the draw is weak enough, like all of his runs.

Bringing Ashe into this (and to criticize Ashe) is just...

Maybe not to you, but Ashe and Blake are far from similar.

Maybe James has mono

Right? Since his clown compatriot is using it as a lame excuse.

Tennis great? James Blake? Tennis Great? Wait. James and Great? This is a sick joke.

It is a cover for his retirement ceremony hopefully.

For the points. If Blake was having to play to stay on tour, he'd have been out by now.

And people should not be surprised that they are calling Blake, who's biggest win was an ISG event in the U.S. when Paradorn did everything he could to choke it away, a tennis great. They are doing it for the same reason they named the stadium after Arthur Ashe, despite the fact that he was surrounded by much greater American players and one of the most boring and technical players ever.

I don't want him to retire, because he's going to ruin so many matches as a commentator, but I want him to have to play for his ranking, not just accept WC's and have a run once a year when the draw is weak enough, like all of his runs.

Ashe and Blake have just 1 thing in common;but not a damn thing else you race baiting asshole!:(

Blake is not even a pale copy of Ashe;he isn't qualify to shine Arthur's shoes:o

please do not put Blake and Arthur Ashe and Martina Navratilova in the same goddamn sentence!:(

Bringing Ashe into this (and to criticize Ashe) is just...

Maybe not to you, but Ashe and Blake are far from similar.

Yes, in achievements, Ashe is far, far above Blake. But in special treatment by the USTA's diversity and political correctness obsession, no way.

There are plenty of mediocre players who achieved more at one tournament or in one month of their career than Blake, yet people acted like his open draw QF's were Slam victories. And his ten MM victories.

time to retire, blake

The Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner, who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan.
:spit:

Tennis great? James Blake? Tennis Great? Wait. James and Great? This is a sick joke.

tennis greats should never have Navratilova and Blake in the same sentence.That is an insult to Navratilova:o:o:o

To even mention Martina in the same sentence with James is insulting to her. It's sad how Americans are so full of their own hype when it comes to tennis players who are scrubs.

This is a travesty. Are they really short of legends to honor? A 0-time Grand-Slam semifinalist, geez!

Blake beside Martina Navratilova :help: mega taseless joke.

how is blake a great? what an insult to martina

Indeed.

I hope he won't retire so i'll still have the chance to win money betting against him :lol: no seriously now i feel sorry for him but i think it's time for him to retire...i watched the match today and i saw the expresion on his face...he wants to play he wants to win but i think he just can't anymore.His time has come unfortunatelly for him

what a shame, seems like a really heartless effort from JB, i guess retirement for JB might be after the US Open. :o

Martina could probably beat Blake right now herself.

This Blake is an embarrassment to his own legacy (as meager as it is :o) at this point. He should be banned just incase he refuses to retire.

nice to hear James still digs being out on the court but the lack of fight is always frustrating .. wish him all the best for the rest of the hc season, hope he gets some kind of confidence back.. if he does retire end of this year, too bad, very talented guy but really underachieved.

istomin vs Fed.. Bring it :D

huge effort by James

:tape: I really thought Blake would put up more of a fight than this :rolls: if he can't get his form back during the USO series, he's in deep trouble :bolt: New Haven will be big for him.


I hope Istomin wins a title this year :shrug: he's been improving quite a bit. :yeah:

This Blake is an embarrassment to his own legacy (as meager as it is :o) at this point. He should be banned just incase he refuses to retire.


read his autobiograpgy, it will turn you into a fan in no time

what a shame, seems like a really heartless effort from JB, i guess retirement for JB might be after the US Open. :o


it is very sad. Hes a cracking player, really nice guy and hugely talented. Sad loss for tennis :sad:
Ashe and Blake have just 1 thing in common;but not a damn thing else you race baiting asshole!:(

Blake is not even a pale copy of Ashe;he isn't qualify to shine Arthur's shoes:o

please do not put Blake and Arthur Ashe and Martina Navratilova in the same goddamn sentence!:

Guy Haines;10259644]Bringing Ashe into this (and to criticize Ashe) is just...

Maybe not to you, but Ashe and Blake are far from similar.

he should be fined for lack of effort :o

American tennis fans will get to enjoy Blake on TV as a commentator/analyst for the next 30 years too. Lucky people. :inlove:
u sick fucks. Have you any idea of what James has had to put up with throughout his career. James is one of the nicest guys on tour once u have had a chat with him. He is incredibly talented, his forehand is a thing of beauty. James deserves a fantastic retirement ceremony, as his devotion to the fans and the us has been tremendous. Once he retires, tennis will have seen a great pass by. I will miss him lighting up events, with his fast paced tennis, and charisma

he will be missed. big time.

the guy in know way deserves a fine. Hes coming to the end of career ffs. His WC is much deserved as his has given everything to us-tennis. Only Roger can rival his commitment to the sport.


how is blake a great? what an insult to martina

read above dumbass. You have to be the most senile, lifeless and ignorant poster on this board. I mean who the fuck do you think are??? questing James's Legacy?.

Shit i worry for you, you creepy old man. Martina??, heck shes proberbly snorting lines as we speak. Thats another thing amazing about james career, he brings a clean image to the sport and brings a whole new meaning to the word 'dedication'

for the record, you actually remind me of Pam SHriver..who also conveniently is also one hell of bitch


James Blake will be missed.

Blake was a great player for a little while, definitely worthy as a top 10 talent, who probably should have been a top 5 player had his mental game been as good as his physical one.

James is a outstanding player with a great personality. He has never retired from a single match in his pro career, despite all his injuries! :worship:

it is very sad. Hes a cracking player, really nice guy and hugely talented. Sad loss for tennis :sad:

u sick fucks. Have you any idea of what James has had to put up with throughout his career. James is one of the nicest guys on tour once u have had a chat with him. He is incredibly talented, his forehand is a thing of beauty. James deserves a fantastic retirement ceremony, as his devotion to the fans and the us has been tremendous. Once he retires, tennis will have seen a great pass by. I will miss him lighting up events, with his fast paced tennis, and charisma

he will be missed. big time.
Please :rolleyes:

Blake in no way deserves to be considered among the sport's overall greats based on what he has done on the court during his professional career. Doesn't matter how nice or talented he is or what hardships he's gone through, the simple fact is his tennis accomplishments do not add up to true greatness. By all means remember Blake fondly for his positive qualities but don't blow them out of all proportion.

Istomin. :haha:

New low for Blake who can't win a game against limping Isto ;)

it is very sad. Hes a cracking player, really nice guy and hugely talented. Sad loss for tennis :sad:

u sick fucks. Have you any idea of what James has had to put up with throughout his career. James is one of the nicest guys on tour once u have had a chat with him. He is incredibly talented, his forehand is a thing of beauty. James deserves a fantastic retirement ceremony, as his devotion to the fans and the us has been tremendous. Once he retires, tennis will have seen a great pass by. I will miss him lighting up events, with his fast paced tennis, and charisma

he will be missed. big time.

the guy in know way deserves a fine. Hes coming to the end of career ffs. His WC is much deserved as his has given everything to us-tennis. Only Roger can rival his commitment to the sport.




read above dumbass. You have to be the most senile, lifeless and ignorant poster on this board. I mean who the fuck do you think are??? questing James's Legacy?.

Shit i worry for you, you creepy old man. Martina??, heck shes proberbly snorting lines as we speak. Thats another thing amazing about james career, he brings a clean image to the sport and brings a whole new meaning to the word 'dedication'

for the record, you actually remind me of Pam SHriver..who also conveniently is also one hell of bitch


James Blake will be missed.

He will be missed by ranting bilious posters I guess.

James Blake is no Arthur Ashe by a long shot.

The last person who you insulted was referring to Martina Navratilova, not Hingis, You know, the Martina with 59 major titles -- fortysome more than Federer and 59 more than non-semifinalist but fellow "tennis great" Blake.

read his autobiograpgy, it will turn you into a fan in no time

I was going to buy the book then i thought gee should i buy Agassi's book or a book from the guy who is federers doormat and spends more time doing evian water commercial shoots rather than practicing.........


I hope he doesn't retire yet. He should take some time off like haas or dent and come back for one last glorious rankings run because Being ranked outside the top 100 and losing rnd to a mug like Istomin on his favorate home surface is a pathetic humiliating way to end his career.