Off track ..... Fish medal was motivation for Blake

American James Blake said watching his friend Mardy Fish win a silver medal at the Athens Olympics four years ago had motivated him to get a seat on the plane to Beijing.

Blake snapped an eight-match losing streak against world No 1 Roger Federer on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the men's singles - a far cry from four years ago when he could only watch it on television after being hit by illness.

"This definitely has extra meaning," said Blake. "I remember watching the 2004 Olympics, wishing I could be a part of it, but at that time not knowing if I would ever play again at this level.