MEMPHIS, Tenn. — James Blake withdrew today from the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, citing a sore right knee that had been bothering him the past couple of weeks.

Blake had been seeded second in the tournament but withdrew from Memphis for a second straight year because he said he felt he wouldn't be able to play a competitive match. He reached the finals here in 2000 and was ninth in the ATP rankings today.

The American said his knee had bothered him at Delray Beach, where he lost in the finals, and last week in San Jose, where he lost in straight sets in the quarterfinals.

Blake plans to rest for the next week or two.