Mirnyi savages Blake to reach last 16

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Eighth seed James Blake's Wimbledon nightmare returned today when he was handed a 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-1 6-0 mauling in the third round by giant Belarussian Max Mirnyi.

The American had never before progressed beyond the second round at the grasscourt grand slam and his fourth visit to the All England Club proved to be almost as frustrating.

The 1.96-metre tall Mirnyi, nicknamed The Beast, came from two-sets-to-one down to savage Blake in the final two sets.

From 3-1 up in the fourth set, Mirnyi won the last nine games as Blake wilted on a baking Centre Court.

''To have won 6-1 6-0 in the last two sets is certainly an unusual thing in men's tennis,'' said Mirnyi, who will now play Swedish doubles partner Jonas Bjorkman.

''He let it slip away and I was fortunate to capitalise.

''It was my first singles experience on Centre Court, it was a great feeling.'' Once the contest entered a final set, Blake knew the odds were against him as he had never won a five-set match.

He bowed out of the tournament after his lunging effort managed only to roll the ball into the net on match point.

''He was red hot at the start. He was red hot at the end. Max Mirnyi red hot on grass, not a lot of guys are going to beat him,'' said the 26-year-old American.

''My serve stopped going in. He's one of the toughest guys to play with just a second serve. He proved it.

''I wasn't making my first serves. Just went off for a little while. That hasn't happened to me in a long time. But it happened today against the worst guy.

''More guys are going to get more than one game but not a lot are going to beat him.'' GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT The two hours and 46-minute defeat was particularly disappointing for Blake as he reached the final at Queen's Club two weeks ago and had hoped to carry that form into the grasscourt slam.

However, Blake was quick to put his defeat into context.

''The fact that I was a wildcard last year, coming in here ranked 110, 120, and now it is a big deal that I lost in the third round, it's a big upset,'' said Blake.

''It's pretty funny to think about that last year if I was in the third round, everyone would have said it's such a great accomplishment to do that. Funny how expectations change.

''But you know you're playing well, is when you're so disappointed to lose to a great player like Max Mirnyi on grass in the third round of Wimbledon. That's hopefully a good sign.'' Reuters HS VP0010