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Blake Brothers Form Formidable Tennis Tandem

At Harvard, the boys have high expectations for themselves as well as the responsibility of living up to the high expectations held by others.

Tom remembers his enthusiastic reaction when his brother decided to go to Harvard and join him on the team.

"I was psyched for him to come. He was our top recruit," Tom says. "He would make our team better."

"One of the things I was worried about was whether it was possible for me to consider the pros at a place like Harvard," James adds. "My brother was able to confirm that studying would not be an [obstacle]."

Although Harvard was knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen of last year's tournament, the brothers should effect a different outcome this year.

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Tom, two-time All-Ivy Player, was named "National Player to Watch" last spring--an award bestowed to one individual by the ITA. James, recovering from a shoulder injury, expects to be one of the top five seeds. The duo also plan to play doubles together and aim to be in the top ten bracket.

Tournaments and titles are not new to either of the brothers. In December, James will travel to Florida to play in the prestigious international Sunshine Cup, a junior version of the Davis Cup.

"Three players from each country are chosen," James says. "I am looking forward to playing for my country."

"On paper, we definitely have the best team that we've had in the last four years," Tom says.

The two players are also looking to extend their tennis careers beyond Harvard.

"I am definitely going to try the pros for a couple of years," Tom says.

His brother, James, isn't too far behind.

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