THURSDAY, MAY 8- Clay-stained Saints Alive! An American man has a realistic chance to reach the final of clay court Masters Series.
On Thursday in the bottom half of the draw, Andy Roddick, busted up the last Italian, Simone Bolelli in a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory, and James Blake scored one of his most impressive clay court wins ever over Spain's Fernando Verdasco 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Roddick is 7-0 against his quarterfinal foe, Tommy Robredo, who upset Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

Blake will face Stanislas Wawrinka, who ended Juan Carlos Ferrero’s run 6-4, 6-3. The Swiss once took a terrific five-setter from Blake at Roland Garros. Neither Roddick nor Blake has ever reached a Masters Series final on clay, but in 2002, Blake reached the Rome quarters, while Roddick reached the semis.

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