HOUSTON (AP) — Sixth-seeded Carlos Berlocq of Argentina overcame an injury to his left calf and surged past James Blake of the United States 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in a first-round match at the U.S. men’s clay court championship Monday night.
Berlocq took early charge with a 5-1 lead in the first set and then had to hold on to win the opening set. Blake easily won the second set with Berlocq getting his ailing calf wrapped before losing the final game of the second set.
Berlocq said he felt tightness in his left calf. He left the court briefly before the final set to get more treatment.
Instead of fading, Berlocq was energized from the start of the final set. Blake held serve in the first game, but then Berlocq won six straight games.
