The Tournament
2005 Harrah's Entertainment $50,000 Men's Pro Challenger

Costly Errors From Brian Vahaly
(LTMN.com)At the Harrah's Entertainment Men's Pro Challenger at Tunica Resorts, Mississippi Friday James Blake and Brian Vahaly clashed in an all American semifinal. Some excellent groundstokes from Vahaly but a letdown in each set was all required as Blake scored one break of serve each set to advance 7-5, 7-5. Brian Baker defeated Juan Pablo Brzezicki in the other semifinal 6-4, 6-4 to advance to Saturday's 6pm CST USA final against Blake.

Having won his match comfortably, Brian Baker watched from the luxury sky box as Blake and Vahaly went at it. "If I can hold serve I can beat these guys," Baker proclaimed. Vahaly jumped ahead to a 5-4 lead in set one behind smart crosscourt backhands and penetrating down the line winners. Blake's own winners and Vahaly's errors including a one-handed slice backhand into the net on set point found Vahaly down one set 7-5. In set two Vahaly again went to a 5-4 lead only to be broken at 5-5. Strong forehands and net play from Blake forced two Vahaly backhand errors into the net and long to seal the match for Blake 7-5, 7-5.

Although both players maintained an excellent mix of offense and defense, crucial errors from Vahaly on big points proved to be the key of the match.

Tournament Information
The 2005 Harrah's Entertainment $50,000 Men's Pro Challenger
May 2-7, 2005
Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, USA
Web: www.usta.com