James Blake wins New Haven title

American James Blake won his first title in more than three years with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over fifth-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the New Haven Open final on Sunday.

Blake, given a wildcard into the event, looked in danger of defeat when he lost the first set but, after a rain delay of just under an hour, he was a transformed player as he stormed back to win the second title of his career.

"It goes without saying that this is a dream come true," Blake told the crowd.

"I couldn't have thought of anything better than winning a tournament in my home state."

The 25-year-old American, whose ranking had fallen to 210 in April after 12 months blighted by injury and illness, is set to move back inside the world's top 50 on Monday.

Blake, who grew up in Connecticut, began brightly, forcing a break point in the first and seventh games.

Lopez, however, saved them both before breaking the American in the eighth game on the way to winning the first set.

MAKING MISTAKES

Blake began making mistakes, particularly on his backhand, and Lopez looked the likelier winner when rain forced the players off the court with the American leading 2-1

Seemingly galvanised by the break, Blake broke immediately on his way to a 4-1 lead and, although he was broken in the eighth game, he snatched the vital break to take the set.

That seemed to drain the spirit from Lopez and, after breaking in the second game of the decider, Blake ripped through the set to clinch victory.

Blake thanked his fanatical support group, nicknamed the J Block, for helping him through 2004 when he lost his father Thomas through illness and when he suffered broken vertebrae in his neck.

"Last year at this time, I was pretty down and just about every single one of you did something to lift me up, whether it was cooking me a meal or playing cards," he said.

"That's what's got me back to where I am and I thank you all."