Missing James Blake.

[Paul Murphy]

Anyone else miss the James Blake of old?
The guy with the cannon forehand which, at its best, was one of the most fearsome shots around.
I loved his crash or crash through style and when he got it right he was spectacular to watch.
A match between Blake and Fernando Gonzalez was a mouth-watering prospect.
Shame he's in decline.

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

I don't miss him.

[Paul Murphy]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

I don't miss him.

Well, that means we're deadlocked.
One all.

[MariaRafael]

Neither do I. Mostly because he had no game outside his forehand. I was also embarassed by his answer to the question about is strategy for the match: "to hit as hard as I can, and hopt that it will be in". Tried to find some game intelligence in this "strategy" and couldn't.

[Paul Murphy]

I would never accuse Blake of being a smart player - he was what he was, a gifted ball striker.

[Slim Pickens]

I miss him too! He was always exciting/frustrating to watch depending upon whether he was on/off; there was no middle ground.

FWIW I'm sure Pam Shriver doesn't miss him, and vice-versa. I don't miss her either.

[zagor]

Yeah, I do. He was awesome to watch when he's on, great offensive ballstriker (off both sides, not just his FH) and some damn good wheels.

[zcarzach]

I miss him as well. He is my favorite American since Sampras, although lately I'm liking Isner.

[Biscuitmcgriddleson]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

I don't miss him.

I WONDER WHY.

*caps intended.

[Biscuitmcgriddleson]

Originally Posted by MariaRafael

Neither do I. Mostly because he had no game outside his forehand. I was also embarassed by his answer to the question about is strategy for the match: "to hit as hard as I can, and hopt that it will be in". Tried to find some game intelligence in this "strategy" and couldn't.

It wasn't fun to see someone play agressive tennis? I don't get why people want to see someone run around the court for hours on end just getting the ball back. If I wanted to see something bring a ball back for hours I'd get a Golden or a Lab.

[Pironkova's Forehand]

Yes, I miss him and I mentioned in another thread that I was missing his boom or bust style. He was always exciting to watch, but was never really going to achieve anything unless he learnt to play with his head a bit more. I'm glad he never did, the game needs exciting players like him.

Del Potro is one of my favourite players at the moment, the man just does not care! He's there for himself and himself alone, he'll do his thing and he doesn't seem to concerned whether he wins or not.

[sureshs]

Who was James Blake?

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Who was James Blake?

All I really remember about him is that he beat Federer convincingly in the Olympics in 2008. In that tournament, Nadal also ascended to the world number #1 spot for the very first time, won his first Olympic singles gold medal (in his very first attempt), and further asserted his dominance in 2008.

[socal29]

I don't miss that erratic forehand. He was a huge choker too.

[BigServer1]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

All I really remember about him is that he beat Federer convincingly in the Olympics in 2008. In that tournament, Nadal also ascended to the world number #1 spot for the very first time, won his first Olympic singles gold medal (in his very first attempt), and further asserted his dominance in 2008.

You should remember Blake as a guy who blew Nadal off the court three times in 2005 and 2006, Blake's prime. Even in 2008 and 2009, a past prime Blake pushed Nadal in all four of their meetings those two years.

[BigServer1]

I miss James. LOL at everyone calling him a mindless ball basher...What does that make Soderling, Berydych, DelPo, etc.?

Blake in his prime was very fun to watch. He could absolutely destroy the ball and just hit guys off the court. His match with Agassi in the 2005 US Open QF was one of the best matches I've ever watched.

[smoledman]

I miss the James Blake of 06-07.

[sunof tennis]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

All I really remember about him is that he beat Federer convincingly in the Olympics in 2008. In that tournament, Nadal also ascended to the world number #1 spot for the very first time, won his first Olympic singles gold medal (in his very first attempt), and further asserted his dominance in 2008.

Not surprising since Blake was able to beat your hero. However, for the most part, Federer owned Blake.

[Paul Murphy]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

All I really remember about him is that he beat Federer convincingly in the Olympics in 2008. In that tournament, Nadal also ascended to the world number #1 spot for the very first time, won his first Olympic singles gold medal (in his very first attempt), and further asserted his dominance in 2008.

You people are so boring - why don't you find a sandpit to play in?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by 6-1 6-3 6-0

All I really remember about him is that he beat Federer convincingly in the Olympics in 2008. In that tournament, Nadal also ascended to the world number #1 spot for the very first time, won his first Olympic singles gold medal (in his very first attempt), and further asserted his dominance in 2008.

All I remember is a guy with a protruding butt who had a fantastic but unreliable one-handed backhand, little desire to win, who hit some impossibly hard shots off both wings, and who seemed to serve with no effort whatsoever.