Blake earns U.S. Clay Court semi berth

HOUSTON, April 18 (UPI) -- No. 1 seed James Blake reached the semifinals of the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Agustin Calleri.

Blake made it to the semifinals of this event for the second straight year. He lost to Mariano Zabaleta in the semis in 2007.

He will play Oscar Hernandez, who eliminated Mardy Fish 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). Fish, the third seed, had been trying for his second title at this tournament in three years.

The other semifinal will send Wayne Odesnik against Marcel Granollers-Pujol.

Odesnik saved a match point before defeating Sergio Roitman 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1. Granollers-Pujol was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Marcos Daniel.