Blake in impressive form in Halle

Blake is ranked eighth in the world

America's James Blake eased into the quarter-finals of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle with a straight sets win over Russia's Evgeny Korolev.

Blake, seeded third, took just 65 minutes to dispose of his 19-year-old opponent, 7-5 6-1.

"The way I was serving today, I don't think many people will break me," Blake said after firing 16 aces.

Last year's beaten finalist Tomas Berdych, seeded fourth, overcame Fabrice Santoro 6-3 7-6.

Berdych will next take on Russia's seventh seed Mikhail Youzhny, who eliminated German qualifier Simon Stadler 6-4 1-6 6-3.

Next up for the 27-year-old Blake will be Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber, who moved into the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi.

The first set between Blake and Korolev was a well-balanced affair until Korolev lost his nerve in his final service game.

Down 6-5, he misplaced a seemingly easy forehand volley to give his opponent the first set.

Blake then gained another break in the fourth game of the second set and never looked back.

The American opted to play in Germany rather than at the Queen's event in London and feels his decision is now paying dividends.

He said: "I like it very much here. Maybe it is a sign of me getting a little older that I am choosing the quietness over the hectic city life of London."