Mardy Fish on the top of his game in 2011– Part 1
Mardy Fish of USA is having a great run in this season. He has an impressive win/loss record of 36-17 in 2011. The American has captured one tour-level title and also reached the title match at two tournaments. He reached his career
high ranking of number 7 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings 15th of August this year.
The American started the season ranked 16th in the world. The 29-year-old did not have a very good start as he failed to go past the second round in his opening two tournaments. Fish began the year at the Brisbane International,
where he defeated Adrian Mannarino in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round to win his first match of the season. The American was defeated by Czech Radek Stepanek in straight sets 3-6, 1-6 in the second round.
Playing at the opening grand slam of the season, Fish had a tough start as he was stretched to limits in his opening match, beating Victor Hanescu in five sets 2-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round at the Australian Open.
He was upset by Spaniard Tommy Robredo in four sets 6-1, 3-6, 3-6, 3-6 in the second round.
The American reached his first semi-final of the season at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. Fish was unable to reach the title match as he was defeated by upcoming Milos Raonic of Canada in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 in the
semi-final. He defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia, Slovakian Lukas Lacko and Sam Querrey of USA on his way to the last four.
Fish thrashed German Bjorn Phau, Ricardo Mello of Brazil and Colombian Alejandro Falla in the first round, second round and quarterfinals respectively to reach his second consecutive semi-final at the Delray Beach International
Tennis Championships. However, once again he failed to reach the final, losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in straight sets 1-6, 5-7 in the semi-finals.
In the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 of the year, Fish received a bye in the first round at the BNP Paribas Open. The American did not perform well as he was ousted by Raonic in straight sets 5-7, 4-6 in the round of 64.
The right-handed then headed to Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open. Fish convincingly defeated two Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet in the second and third round respectively. The American took revenge from Del Potro,
of his semi-final loss at the Delray Beach International, as he defeated the Argentinean in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(5) in the round of 16. He gave a brilliant performance, upsetting the then world number 6 David Ferrer of Spain in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 in
the quarterfinal. Fish lost his third consecutive semi-final of the season as he was dismissed by unbeatable Novak Djokovic of Serbia in straight sets 7-5, 6-2.
Following week, the American was upset by Japanese Kei Nishikori in straight sets 3-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinals at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship.
This marked an end to his winter hard court season. Fish replaced Andy Roddick as the top ranked American after his solid run at the American hard courts.
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