Blake does just enough to reach Stockholm Open final

STOCKHOLM, Oct 14 (Reuters) Defending champion James Blake did just enough to beat Swede Robin Soderling 7-5 7-6 today to reach the Stockholm Open final.

The American world number eight will face the winner of the match between Joachim Johansson, another Swede, and Finnish fifth seed Jarkko Nieminen.

Blake, the second seed, broke Soderling in the second set tie-break for a 3-2 lead with an exquisite backhand down the line and then held his serve to clinch it 7-4.

The 26-year-old American is chasing his fifth title of the year.

REUTERS PM ND1758