Todd Martin hits a return as his doubles partner James Blake on the left looks on. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        MASON — The unlikely and unseeded American duo of Todd Martin and James Blake will play for the Tennis Masters Series doubles championship today (1 p.m.) at the ATP Tennis Center, marking a significant milestone.

        Encouraged by a boisterous crowd that applauded every point while occasionally chanting “USA, USA,” Martin and Blake defeated the No.5-seeded team of Martin Damm and Cyril Suk, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) in the semifinals.

        Martin and Blake, a newly created team that received a wild-card entry into the tournament, will play Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi, who defeated Jiri Novak and Radek Stepanek 7-5, 6-3.

        Today's final will mark the first time since Arthur Ashe lost in doubles in 1969 that an African-American (Blake) has reached a championship match here.

        Ken Flach and Robert Seguso were the last American team to reach the doubles championship, in 1991 when they beat Canadians Grant Connell and Glen Michibata.

        Martin and Blake form something of an odd couple, starting with the physical contrasts between them.

        Martin's hair is gray; the 22-year-old Blake wears dread locks. Low-key and emotionally under control, Martin plays with his shirt tucked in; the flamboyant Blake shows emotion and plays with his shirt tail out.

        “We played together for the first time in Cincinnati last year and also in two February tournaments,” the 32-year-old Martin said. “We enjoy playing together, and this is a way to get some practice together.”

        The two could team for the U.S. Davis Cup team in the September semifinals in France, but captain Patrick McEnroe will make that selection.

        “Patrick will make the decision after the U.S. Open,” Martin said. “He will figure out who is available and pick the players he thinks will best represent the U.S.”

        Cincinnati fans are special to Blake.

        He remembers the strong support he got at last year's tournament when he won two singles matches, including an upset over Arnaud Clement. He lost to Patrick Rafter 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the round of 16.

        “Patrick told me early last year that I had the talent to beat him,” Blake said.

        “He told me the only reason I didn't beat him was because I didn't think I could. That advice helped turned my career around.”

        Ranked No.120 in 2001, Blake has climbed to 30th.

        “Tomorrow (Sunday) should be fun,” said Blake, who attended Harvard University two years before turning professional in 1999. “Hopefully, the fans will show up and get behind us.”

        Both sets Saturday went to tiebreaks.

        The U.S. team won the first 9-7, then jumped to a 6-1 lead to win the second 7-4.

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