U.S. Open Round 1: Mardy Fish defeats Jan Hajek
Mardy Fish avoided to bow out of the first round of the U.S. Open 2010 for the fourth time in his sports career with a dogged 6-03-6 4-6 6-0 6-1 win over Jan Hajek on Tuesday.
Fish began his strong 2010 to date with a tremendous first set display in which his hard-hitting opponent Czech could not settle for a moment. According to statistical results he did well, firing 24 aces and blasting 52 winners.
The 28-year-old American seemed to be on course for such marvellous straight sets victory, but the number 19 seed’s normally reliable serve fell apart in the next two sets as Hajek edged towards a major upset. Fish, a first round loser at the U.S. Open in 2000, 2001 and 2005 had a pathetic first serve percentage of 40 percent in the third set and cut a disgruntled figure on court.
But as the shadow came over the hard court, Fish managed to recapture his earlier good form on the fourth set of his play, his serving accuracy noticeably shot up and break on the opening. Hajek served to add greater spring to his step.
The fourth set raised the excitement and curiosity about the play. In contrast, Hajek’s game fell apart and the young boy playing only his 12th grand slam singles encounter, somehow managed to win a solitary game in the final two sets and again had to be treated by the trainer for an inquiry to his right hand.
In an interview Fish stated, "It's huge; I can feel how the other guy's feeling. I can see that, you know. I can see that he's struggling to move out to his forehand even, early in the fourth set, even when he won the third set. It's a good feeling, sort of, to wear down a player and know that all the hard work that you put in is just paid off right there."
A lightweight Fish, who lost 30 pounds ahead of the season start after undergoing knee surgery, produced the sort of tennis that earned him back-to-back titles on American soil earlier this year. In this way he recaptured his earlier form.
Moreover Fish is a completely different person now and playing like a totally different player. He is able to do things he has never been able to do before. Fish confessed. "It's almost embarrassing to think about as a professional athlete or a professional tennis player. It's pretty crazy how I kind of got away with it - for a while, at least. How far that takes me, I have no idea, but I've never been fitter and never been mentally as strong. I've never wanted it more and, so, hopefully that goes a long way."
The temperature in New York was surpassing 90 degree shortly after midday on Tuesday. According to the extreme weather policy the U.S. Open officials could permit a 10 minutes break between second and third set, provided that one or both players request it. The unpredictable heat covered the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis centre. Spectators went under the shade, too sapped to cheer and putting their energy into flapping paper fans. The group of fans known as “the fishheads” who travel with Fish and cheer him on during matches also seemed exhausted and taking refuge under the shadows.
After this match the fans of Mardy Fish and all his spectators have raised the level of expectations from him. In many matches he has been recognized for his playing style, he is really good with his powerful serve and backhand. Basically he is a baseliner who often moves around the court and finds his way to the net. Fish could play in all sorts of courts or we could say that this American is an all court player. But still this player needs to be more perfect in his game because the upcoming matches are going to be really tougher than the expectation, and surely the best player will win.
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