Feliciano Lopez kills big “Mardy” Fish in first rubber – Davis Cup 2011 USA vs ESP QF
Spaniard Feliciano Lopez destroyed American Mardy Fish in the first rubber of the USA vs Spain tie in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Davis Cup giving Team Spain a 1-0 lead. Lopez took nearly four hours as he battled past Fish to
a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(2), 8-6 win over the top ranked local.
Going for the kill in the first rubber against the mighty Spaniard, the big Fish was caught in his own net. The match was being played in favouring conditions as Fish had the home crowd support. The hard indoor court at the Frank
Erwin Center had less support for the Spaniard that might have made Mardy Fish day dream of wonders. However, Friday seemed another disappointment for the American player.
The match started off with the world No.8 serving first to his rival. The world No.31 had his grip strong on every shot he played in the starter. Making use of his aggression, the Spaniard cruised to secure a 6-4 win in the first
set. Wining 16 out of the 18 points on first serves, Lopez fired six aces in the open run and took control in the first set.
The second set made the match more interesting as the American, World No.8 made his comeback as he won the set with 7 straight aces including 3 service winners. Winning 15 out of 15 points of his 1st serve, the American
gave a 100 percent this time. The set ended with Fish levelling the scores with Lopez 4-6, 6-3.
It was the third set that made the American think of the home advantage as of no use. The Spaniard had made his shots unplayable as he took away the set with ease. In revenge of the second set, Lopez gave the American the same
beating and took away the set 3-6. Throwing eight blazer aces Lopez gained a 2-1 lead after the 3rd set.
As the fans were still cheering for a desperate win in the next set, Mardy served 12 aces in the 4th set and locked the match in a tiebreaker. Roaring for their player, the fans gained their player the advantage he was
looking for as the American won the tiebreaker and took away the set from the Spaniards hands 7-6(2).
Firing up the centre, the fans were also in competition now. As both players had made the match historic, the fifth set was the concluding remark. Locked once more in a neck to neck run, the pair pushed for a long set. However,
unlike the Isner Mahut first round Wimbledon match, Lopez was quick to reel off two straight games to secure a 8-6 victory, sealing his win in the rubber.
Following Fish and Lopez were Andy Roddick and David Ferrer for the second rubber of the tie.
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