Blake Advances to 3rd Down Under

Connecticut native James Blake advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over French qualifier Sebastien de Chaunac.

In the seventh game of the final set, de Chaunac had a heated discussion with a fan who appeared to be heckling him. Security removed the man from the stadium two games later with Blake serving for the match.

It was the eighth time in nine attempts that ninth-seeded Blake has beaten a qualifier in Grand Slams.

De Chaunac won three matches in qualifying at Melbourne Park to get into the main draw, but his loss Thursday extends his record of never having won consecutive matches in a tour level event.

Blake, who attended Fairfield Warde High School, in Fairfield, will play the winner of the Ernests Gulbis/Igor Andreev match in the third round.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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