Blake stuns Nadal at US Open

American James Blake has an underdog quality that has endeared him to US Open fans - and they will have an opportunity to cheer him on at least one more round.

Blake produced arguably the biggest win of his career Saturday, stunning second-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1 in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 25-year-old Blake had missed much of last year with a broken neck and a lengthy illness, but he began to gain attention when he won last weekend’s Pilot Pen tournament in his native Connecticut.

Blake, who entered the open as a wild card and upset No 28 Greg Rusedski of Great Britain in the first round, continued his comeback against French Open champion Nadal, who was facing an American wild card for the third straight round.

After securing the third set with a difficult smash on a shot that appeared to be heading out, Blake rolled in the fourth, earning a standing ovation after Nadal hit a shot into the net on match point.

In an early men’s result, Nicolas Massu of Chile, a double gold medalist at last year’s Olympics, routed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 6-4 6-3 6-0 to reach the fourth round.

Massu had advanced to the third round in a walkover when Czech Jiri Novak withdrew with an injury.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet defeated No 18 Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-2.