I’ve never seen a worse fifth set tie-breaker than the one played by James Blake against Tommy Haas in the fourth round of the US Open. Where did James think he was? He wasted a three hour job with a just crazy attitude, looking for the winner all the times, never waiting against a guy like Haas, who often misses when put under pressure.

Of course that outstanding point on the score of 3-3 made the difference, with Haas lobbing the American twice in the same rally. But Blake seemed to be already beaten before the whole thing even started. Maybe he’s not ready to inherit the responsibility of carrying the US flag in tennis and, at this point, I doubt that he will ever do it one day.

Could this be a turning point in Haas’ career? A player who has lost at the fifth set some of the most important opportunities in his career (an Australian Open semi agains Safin and an Olympic final against Kafelnikov) has already won two five set matches in this year’s Open. And now faces a much more relaxed Davydenko, that he beat in five sets in January in Australia.

Maybe the eternal promise of German tennis is finally becoming reality.

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