KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP):

EIGHTH-SEEDED James Blake was the first big name to fall in the Sony Ericsson Open when he was eliminated by Florent Serra of France 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-3 in the second round on Friday night.

Blake hit another low in his two-month slump when he blew a forehand putaway on the final shot of the tiebreaker, and sailed an easy backhand long with a chance to break late in the third set.

"I can't lose those kinds of points and expect to win matches," said Blake, beaten in six of his past nine matches.

Serra avenged a straight-sets loss to the American two weeks ago at Indian Wells in the same stage.

Second-seeded Rafael Nadal, coming off a victory at Indian Wells on Sunday, won his opener against Ricardo Mello of Brazil 7-6 (7), 6-2.

Third round

In the women's draw, Belgian stars Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, on course to meet in the semi-finals, reached the third round.

Despite 13 aces by Blake, Serra broke him three times, including in the decisive fourth game of the final set.

Blake's bid to shake his slump must wait until April 6-8, when the U.S. Davis Cup team plays Spain. He acknowledged his confidence needs a boost.

"Winning is the best answer," he said. "You've just got to get out there and win. Some times the only other thing that can help is trying to trick yourself. Hopefully I can count on being a dumb jock and I can fool myself intothinking that I can play confidently next time. I think I can do that."

Serra's second win in three matches against Blake allowed him to pass the second round in a tournament for the first time this year.

Nadal saved two set points against Mello in the tiebreaker, then had few problems.