Blake Comeback give a 2-0 Lead for USA

The Davis Cup tie between USA and France in North Carolina, USA, showed a dramatic 5-set thriller last night as James Blake saved two match point to beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 6-7 6-3 3-6 7-5 in almost 3h50. Earlier in the day Andy Roddick gave the first point to his country beating Llodra in straight sets 6-4 7-6 7-6 in 2 hours.

In the first two sets between Frenchman N°3 Mathieu and James Blake there was no breaks of serve, and they split the two tie-break. The next two sets were also split but with a break this time as Blake got the fist of it breaking at 4-3 to serve it out for 6-3. And in the fourth Mathieu did the same thing as he broke early in the set.

In the deciding set, Mathieu got the first break to lead 2-0 but Blake broke back in the next game. Then Mathieu broke again and had the chance to serve for the match at 5-4. He led 40-15 and procured himself two match points, served 2 good first serves and played well the points but on an almost wining Mathieu's forehand Blake got the ball back with the very end of his racquet to saved this match point, then he managed to brake Mathieu's serve and closed out the match breaking once again Mathieu.

Between the two 2-time ATP winners this year, the American came through firing 30 aces and won the big points in the breaker as he won 6 straight points in the second set tie-break. It was Roddick's eight consecutive win in a Davis Cup match and improved to a 28-9 overall.

In the others Davis Cup ties, Germany is receiving Spain and the top two Spanish players, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, won their match not so comfortably but gave a 2-0 lead coming to Saturday's double match. Nadal was pushed in the first set converting only 1 of 10 break points he had to eventually win the set 7 points to 5 in the tie break in almost 90 min, then it becomes easier as he closed out the match in straight set and 3h 7-6 6-0 6-3. Ferrer fought back from losing the first set to give the 2nd point of the day for the Spanish team, beating Kohlschreiber, apparently a bit tired, 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-2 in more than 3h.

After his win Nadal said in the press conference that he wasn't pleased with this year clay court season schedule as there is only one week between the two Masters Series or Monte-Carlo and Rome and that he will play 4 tournaments in 4 weeks and will have only one week off before his favourite Grand Slam, Roland Garros in Paris.

Spain could receive the US team next September if they both win one more match.

The two other encounters Argentina-Sweden and Russia-Czech Republic are tied 1-1. Nalbandian giving the first point beating 2002 Australian Champion Tomas Johansson 6-2 5-7 6-4 6-2, before Soderling tied the match coming through Acasuso in straight set 6-0 6-4 6-1.

The Czech could have had a 2 points lead before the weekend as Tomas Berdych led 2 sets to love against Marat Safin before eventually losing to the prodigious Russian in a dramatic five set comeback 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4. Then Stepanek beat easily Igor Andreev in straight sets 6-3 6-2 6-4 in less than 2 hour.