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Surprising James Blake secured his best ever showing on Europe's red clay, riding a second-set surge for a 6-4, 6-1 quarter-final defeat of Florent Serra at the Estoril Open.

The 29-year-old American has never been past the quarters on the surface in Europe, losing twice at that stage in Rome (2002 and 2008).

The number eight has yet to lift a title in 2009 but hopes to continue gathering his forces for the French Open starting May 24.

"Of course it is a very important tournament for French players, all of us. But I'm not thinking of Roland Garros just yet, There is still Madrid.

"I'm not playing badly on clay - but I want to do my maximum to play even better."

Blake is breaking new ground as he takes on experienced campaigner Nikolay Davydenko - who knocked out Blake's coutryman Mardy Fish 6-4 6-3 - in their first meeting on clay after defeating the Russian six times on fast courts.

"This was a good match but I hope to continue that," said the 29-year-old Blake. "Davydenko is a great player and he's especially dangerous on clay. But I feel I'm ready for this match.

"My game has gotten better and better all week and I'm really dictating like I want to on court."

Davydenko, who hopes to enter his fourth Estoril final, has been storming through the clay since returning following three months away with a heel injury which kept him out for two months.

The Russian who now stands out of the Top ten after finishing last season in the Top five, said that his enforced absence looks to have made a huge difference in his mental game.

"Physically I'm not as strong as I can be but mentally I'm very tough," he said. "I've never had such a long time away from tennis in my career.

"But since I've come back I've been playing well. Everything's not about tennis anymore for me, I have family and other interests.

"Now, I hardly think about my matches, I just go out and play relaxed. For me, it doesn't matter how you are playing, it's your mental state. It's always in your head."

In the other quarter-finals, Spain's Albert Montanes caused an upset by knocking out top seed Gilles Simon 5-7 6-4 7-6.

Seventh seed Montanes, who saved a match point when 6-5 down in the third set against the Frenchman, next meets unseeded Chilean Paul Capdeville who reached his first ATP semi-final with a 4-6 6-1 6-4 triumph over Spain's Oscar Hernandez.

Watch coverage of ATP Estoril throughout the week live on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe. Or watch on British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2, right up to the final at 3.30pm on Saturday May 9. British Eurosport is available on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521, and British Eurosport 2 on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525.

AFP