American James Blake defeated French wild card Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-3 Sunday at the BNP Paribas Masters, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Paris. It was Blake’s fifth win in six meetings over 36-year-old Santoro, who was contesting his final singles match as a professional.
“Before coming onto the court, I was in the locker room with two close friends and my dad,” said Santoro. “We were joking. We made a few photos. We tried to immortalise the moment.”
Blake won 62 per cent of service points, hit three aces and saved four of six break point opportunities in the pair sixth meeting. World No. 53 Santoro, who dropped to a 15-20 singles record on the year, partners compatriot Sebastien Grosjean in the doubles competition later this week.
[atpworldtour.com]
