Houston, April 15:

Argentine qualifier Mariano Zabaleta upset second-seeded James Blake 7-5, 7-6 (7) to advance to the US Men’s Clay Court Championships final on Saturday.

Zabaleta, ranked No 156 in the world, won the match when the American double-faulted on match point. Zabaleta, who won two matches to qualify, plays Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in final. The Croat is ranked No 108. Earlier, Karlovic ouserved Albert Montanes of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-2. The Croat closed out the match with four straight aces to reach the final. Karlovic has been broken only once this week. He ousted two seeds to get to the final, beating two Germans, sixth-seeded Benjamin Becker in the first round and No 3 seed Tommy Haas.

Family Circle Cup

CHARLESTON: Serbian second seed Jelena Jankovic advanced to the final of the Family Circle Cup clay court tournament defeating Venus Williams 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).

Jankovic will play for the top prize of $196,900 against Russian fourth seed Dinara Safina, who advanced when compatriot Vera Zvonareva retired from their semi-final with a left wrist injury. Safina’s was leading 6-3, 0-1 against Zvonareva when her countrywoman called it a day. — AFP