No question Mardy Fish has had a fine career on the pro tennis circuit. At age 29 he has won six ATP singles titles, including three in the last 13 months. But long overshadowed by friends and fellow Americans Andy Roddick and James Blake, few casual fans have taken notice. Now, with Blake fading and Roddick injured, Fish is the most notable American entry in the U.S. Open — and playing well enough to take advantage of it. Fish beat Tobias Kamke in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday at Flushing Meadows. And he did so with ease 6-2. 6-2, 6-1 on Centre Court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. That comes on the heels of his finals appearances at ATP hard-court events in Montreal and Los Angeles this summer and a tournament win in Atlanta.
It’s likely a last, best chance for Fish, the No. 8 seed who has never been past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam event. To get that far he likely will have to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeded 11th and a Grand Slam finalist at the Australian Open in 2008, or Fernando Verdasco, ranked 19th and a quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open in 2009 and 2010. He’s also on the same side of the draw as Roger Federer.
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But American players have long been able to take advantage of the boisterous crowds at Flushing Meadows. Jimmy Connors memorably rode their cheers to a semifinals appearance in 1991. A weekend night match in the round of 16 or — even better — one with Federer next Tuesday and Fish will face a career-defining moment with the crowd on his side. He just needs to get there first.
– Brian McNally
