Cincinnati Masters - Mardy Fish vs. Andy Roddick
The Western and Southern Financial Group Masters 2010 showcased a couple of major upsets as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray failed to replicate their outstanding Toronto performances at Cincinnati. On the other hand, some unexpected contenders in the shape of Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick took full use of this opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the ATP Cincinnati Masters 2010.
The first semi-final at Cincinnati will be all-American clash between Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick – both players are expected to battle it out under the sun at Cincinnati’s Centre Court on Saturday. Thirteen ranked Andy Roddick is on top in head-to-head encounters against Fish with a lead of 9 games to 2.
However, the summer has shined on both Fish and Roddick in 2010. While the 27-year-old Roddick reached Cincinnati after going through bad health and fitness issues, the 36th ranked Fish improved his game after working really hard on his fitness.
Seizing a total of two championship trophies at the start of this summer, Mardy has probably saved his best tennis for the Cincinnati Masters after defeating four top ten tennis players in sequence including Fernando Verdasco, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet and Andy Murray.
The inform Mardy Fish has placed himself in a perfect position to win another Masters title in Cincinnati. By effectively using his attacking game, Mardy could be in line for yet another quality win.
In order to make his way into his biggest final of this season, the 28-year-old Fish will have to knock out Andy Roddick - a player who he lived with as a junior contender in yesteryears.
Andy Roddick on the other hand, who’s confidence level must have improved as a result of his semi-final run, toppled Robin Soderling in a close clash, before defeating second seeded Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Texas resident Andy Roddick has been serving quite well for the last seven days. However, the most impressive element about the former number one was his movement on the court along with his baseline defence. The right handed has intelligently utilized his baseline experience to make his way into the semi-final of the third Masters thousand tennis tournament of the year.
Andy’s defence however still needs to improve as he might get him into trouble in his semi-final battle against Mardy on Saturday.
Fish has been contesting at Cincinnati like a man on a mission and he will definitely be cautious against Andy in today’s big match. Playing in his natural style at his very best against Andy Murray in the quarter-final round of the competition would give Mardy Fish some flashbacks of their last set tiebreak.
Fish definitely has brighter chances as compared to Andy Roddick to win the semi-final battle of the ATP Cincinnati Masters 2010 on Saturday. Andy’s serve ranks him higher in contrast to his opponent’s not so perfect serve. Andy’s slice backhand however is comparatively better, however Mardy’s improved movement on the court as well as volleying form the baseline will provide him a chance to look up for options that he once couldn’t implement.
Fish however will be more tired than Roddick who on the other hand does hold a significant face-to-face lead in their career clashes. However Mardy has shown the class to cast aside a couple of great contenders on the court in the recent past and therefore could comfortably win against Roddick.
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