Beijing 2008 Blake Looses to Djokovic for Bronze Medal: James Blake’s disappointments continued in his Beijing 2008 bronze medal singles match against Novak Djokovic. The world’s No. 3 seeded Serbian (Djokovic) claimed the bronze medal by ousting the No. 8 ranked American (Blake) in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6 (4). At BodogLife.com, Novak Djokovic was a -350 betting odds favorite to win the bronze medal against James Blake (+250).

Djokovic was coming off a heartbreaking loss to (No. 2) Rafael Nadal of Spain in the Men’s Singles Tennis semifinal round. Meanwhile, Blake, who eliminated No. 1, Roger Federer, was coming off a controversial loss to Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

James Blake’s match against Fernando Gonzalez, which finished with a very controversial no-call, proved costly for Blake’s chances of a medal in Beijing. Instead of Blake advancing to the Olympics gold medal round, which in-turn would have guaranteed him at least a silver medal, the American now leaves Beijing empty-handed.

After exiting his Center court match against Nadal gushing in tears, Novak Djokovic was able to pull himself together, and win a bronze medal match for Serbia. The final set came down to a tiebreaker. When it was all over, an ecstatic Djokovic began throwing everything into the cheering crowd: from the shirt he was wearing (which he ripped off his back), two rackets, and was just about to toss his gym bag as well. Luckily he stopped himself before chucking it. “To win any medal in the Olympics is a huge achievement,” Djokovic expressed. “Not many of the athletes get a chance to win a medal.”

The American James Blake, always gracious, even in defeat was able to put things into perspective: “I felt like I competed hard… I have to take something positive from the way I was playing this week.”

In the Gold Medal round of the Men's Tennis Singles , Rafael Nadal (Spain) will take on Fernando Gonzalez (Chile).

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