TennisToday

Mardy Fish Makes Successful Return to Tour with Win at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's First Round

10 Mardy Fish d Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo - 76(3) 75 76(1)

Mardy has been off the tour after surgery for heart arrhythmia last month.

He skipped his post-match presser owing to 'feeling unwell'.

This morning he was interviewed on ESPN and reported that he was fine.

Remember: Fish was a Qf-ist here last year.

Tough road: He could play Tsonga in the 4th R and Rafa in the quarters.

Mardy has opted out of the Olympics to focus on the US summer swing.

And I'm guessing - to rest.

Photo: Getty Images

Mardy Fish Undergoes Heart Surgery

Yikes. And here I thought he just wanted to skip the clay court season.

Mardy underwent surgery for an arrhythmia in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

He told USA Today: It felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

During days, I'm totally fine. I can track it and work out fine.

But every time I would go to bed my mind would start racing.

Is this going to happen tonight? Is this going to be another night like that?

It was super hard to go to sleep.

I was completely panicking, I thought I was going to die.

***

He says he'll be back in time for Wimbledon, possibly even Queens Club.

***

I want to stress that I'm good now, I'm fine, they've fixed the problem.

I don't want people to think I missed the French Open because...

I didn't want to go because I was just tired. That's just not the case.

Look, I'm still in the top 10 in the world and still the No. 1 American.

This is still a very fun time for me.

I don't want to sit on my ass while I'm 10 in the world.

***

Get well soon, Mardy.

Juan Monaco Celebrates 27th Birthday with Upset Win Over Mardy Fish in Quarterfinals at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Quarterfinal

21 Juan Monaco d 8 Mardy Fish - 61 63

Juan gave Mardy a birthday beat-down.

This is Juan's 2nd Masters Sf: 0-1, the other being Shanghai '10.

Interesting that neither is on clay.

Don't celebrate too much tonight - you've got Novak tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images

Mardy Fish Finally Wins Back-to-Back Matches this Year - At Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Third Round

8 Mardy Fish d 28 Kevin Anderson - 64 63

Mardy bitched about not playing the stadium court here and at IW.

You gotta win matches bub. Today was a good start.

It's the first time Mardy has won back-to-back matches all year.

He'll next face 12 Nicolas Almagro - H2H: 2-0/MF.

And guess what? It's being played on the Grandstand tomorrow.

It's a nice court Mardy. Deal.

Photo: Getty Images

Another Earlier Round Loss for Mardy Fish - This Time at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

Q Matthew Ebden d 8 Mardy Fish - 63 64

Mardy has yet to win back-to-back match in his 4 tournaments this year.

In fact, you have to go back to Tokyo in Oct for multiple tourny match wins.

Ranking: Mardy heads to Miami with Sf points to defend.

Someone needs to turn things around fast or Isner will be the #1 American.

And soon.

Photo: AP

Davis Cup 2012 1st Round: Roger Federer had a Pretty Tough Weekend

Davis Cup 1st Round: US d Switzerland 3-0

There's no way I would have ever thought RF would lose 2 matches in 2 days.

That's just crazy.

And they made the American's play on clay in Roger's home country.

In both matches (singles & doubles) he won the 1st set and lost in 4.

I doubt it'll sting for too long...

Roger is the top seed at Rotterdam next week - with a nice draw.

As for the surprised US team - well done guys.

Big, big win for Isner yesterday - biggest win of his career, in fairness.

The US will play the winner of Canada/France - away, again.

Falla Eats Fish at Aussie Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

Alejandro Falla d 8 Mardy Fish - 76(4) 63 76(6)

Easily the biggest upset of the entire tournament thus far.

Mardy came into the Aussie Open with high hopes - as all top players do.

However, Justin Gimelstob had even higher hopes. Annoyingly so...

Hopefully this will get Justin to stop banging on about his upward trajectory.

Dude - this is as good as it's gonna get for Mardy.

He's not a top 5 player - please adjust your biased commentary accordingly.

OK, got that off my chest.

LOL: The only spell-check word suggestion for Gimelstob is 'comeliest'.

Jus' sayin'.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Bernard Tomic Wins Kooyong Classic as Jurgen Melzer Takes 3rd Place

Kooyong Classic Exhibition

Final: Bernard Tomic d Mardy Fish - 64 36 75

3rd Place: Jurgen Melzer d Gael Monfils - 63 67(10) 62

I dunno, I kinda like the idea of playing for 3rd place.

Only at the Slams tho. It would be pretty cool as far as I'm concerned.

Hell, they play for the bronze at the Olympics don't they?

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Wins Historic Title at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Mardy Fish - 62 36 64

This is just getting down-right scary. I mean look at these stats:

2011 W/L: 53-1. 9 titles. Only 17 sets lost. 16 wins over top 10 players.

His lone defeat was in the Sf's at Roland Garros to Roger Federer.

Novak also becomes the 1st man to win 5 Masters titles in a single season.

This is his 2nd title in Canada ('07) & his 10th Masters Series 1000 title.

He is the 1st #1 since Sampras to win a title in his 1st tourney at the top.

He seems on course to have the most incredible season in ATP history.

Novak: History making, of course it’s special.

Of course, it’s an honour and privilege to be part of the history...

Of the sport that I love and that I play.

ADJE.

Photo: Getty Images

ATP Title Winners for July 31, 2011

Los Angeles ATP 250 Final

Ernests Gulbis d 1 Mardy Fish - 57 64 64

Ernie captures his 2nd ATP title - interstingly, both on American soil.

Heading back up: The win bumps him up 29 ranking spot to #55.

A year ago he enjoyed his highest ranking of #21.

Let's see if he can keep it going - I think he belongs in the top 20.

Ernie: It means a lot to me. It's my second title.

It gives me a huge boost in confidence.

***

Gstaad ATP 250 Final

8 Marcel Granollers d 4 Fernando Verdasco - 64 36 63

Marcel also captures his 2nd ATP title - and first since Houston in '08.

It’s very important for me because I won my first tournament in 2008...

Which was a little unexpected, and three years later I won here.

So there is a lot of work behind today and I feel amazing.

The win bumps him to a career high ranking of #33.

DomiNation: Another Spaniard winning another title.

***

Umag ATP 250 Final

2 Alexandr Dolgopolov d 4 Marin Cilic - 64 36 63

Big congrats to Alexandr on winning his maiden ATP title.

2nd times a charm: He lost his first final in February at Costa Do Sauipe.

He becomes the 6th first-time titlist of 2011.

Alex rises 5 spots in the rankings to #21 - 1 spot below his ranking high.

Alex: I was first in the rankings in Ukraine, but I hadn’t won a title...

And everyone was talking about that a bit. It’s a good moment.

I’ll keep on working and try and get higher and higher in the rankings.

Photos: Reuters/AP

The Men's Quarterfinal Results at Wimbledon

1 Rafael Nadal d 10 Mardy Fish - 63 64 57 64

Rafa moves into his 5th straight Sf: 4-0 & his 16th trip to a Slam Sf: 12-3.

He is the 2nd youngest (by two days) to reach 16 Slam Sf's - after Borg.

Rafa had a little lapse of concentration in the 3rd set before closing it out.

He sets up 2nd straight Sf against Andy Murray: 11-4/RN.

2 Novak Djokovic d Q Bernard Tomic -62 36 63 75

Novak is one match win away for being #1 in the rankings.

I'm very close to reaching the #1, but I try not to think about that too much.

He got a really tough workout from 18 year-old future star Bernie today.

This is Novak's 5th straight Slam Sf & 12th overall.

He will face nemesis Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-2/JWT.

This should be a great match.

4 Andy Murray d Feliciano Lopez -63 64 64

Yesterday Andy met PGA US Open winner Rory McIlroy with John McEnroe.

This is Andy's 3rd straight trip to the Wimbledon Sf: 0-2.

Andy is the only Sf'ist yet to drop a set.

Andy is in the final 4 again - one of these days he'll be the last one standing.

Just have to go out there and play well and serve well...

And believe and I'll have a chance.

12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 3 Roger Federer - 36 67(3) 64 64 64

Jo-Willy came up with the win of his lifetime.

This is his 3rd Slam Sf: 1-1.

This is the 3rd time Roger lost with a 2 set lead - 1st time at a Slam.

Jo-W: The feeling is like maybe beating Nadal in Roland Garros...

So it's just amazing. And for me it will be, for sure...

One of the best memories in my career anyway.

Photos: Getty Images

Mardy Fish Enters ATP Top 10 for the 1st Time

Special attention should be paid to Mardy Fish this week.

At 29 - Mardy has entered the top 10 (at #10) for the 1st time in his career.

Well done Mardy.

Andy Roddick Attends Golfs Masters at Augusta National

As Andy sits on the 18th hole at Augusta National...

Mardy Fish is in Houston trying to pad his lead as the US #1.

Historically neither has done well on clay so...

I think the real US #1 battle will engage after the French.

By the way, Mardy has more points to defend than Andy this summer...

From the grass season thru the US Open Mardy has 1370, Andy has 720.

Sooooooo... I'll bet on Andy getting that back. Maybe.

***

Yesterday Andy caddied for Zach Johnson at the Par 3 Contest:

Photos: Getty Images

Sam Querrey & John Isner: Are They Really the Future of American Men's Tennis?

Don't get me wrong - Sam & John represent the US admirably but...

I bristle at the idea that they are the future of American men's tennis.

Sam is 23 and John is 26 in April - 2011 is a year they both need to step up.

In 2010 between them they played in a combined 23 Slams & Masters 1000's.

And not a single Qf appearance by either one in any of them.

Hell, throw in 2009 and one can count 41 Slams/1000's without a Qf showing.

In fact, John has never been to a Slam or Masters Qf.

Yes, he made history at Wimbledon - in the first round.

Sam has only been to 2 career Masters Qf's - none since Monte Carlo in '08.

Both had great years in small events...

But neither player could get higher than #18 (John) & #19 (Sam).

They are currently #19 & #20 - but Mardy Fish is the 2nd ranked US man.

I suspect S & J will show up in Australia eager (and willing) to make noise.

But at this rate - Andy Roddick is still the future of American men's tennis.

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Looking (and Playing) Fine in Beijing

Beijing ATP 500 - Men's First Round

1 Novak Djokovic d WC Mao-Xin Gong - 61 63

Novak never faced a break point while breaking Gong 4 times to advance.

Novak will next play Mardy Fish - H2H: 5-0/ND, including 2 this year.

 

Novak, along with others, looking dapper at the player's party last night.

Let's see, we've got Dinara & Sam on Fern's shoulders, Caro, Tomas & Andy.

I'm guessing that all equals good times.

Novak is a breath away from qualifying for the year-end finals in London.

He is currently #2 in the regular rankings and #3 in the year-to-date.

With a lot of points to defend this year, Novak may finish '10 at #3.

To finish ahead of Roger this year - well, he has his work cut out for him.

Photos: Getty Images

Davis Cup Semifinal Day Five Results

France defeats Argentina 5-0

4. Gilles Simon d Eduardo Schwank - 76(5) 67(6) 63

5. Arnaud Clement d Horacio Zeballos - 75 61

The weekend didn't just belong to Llodra - Clement won two matches too.

The French team will now be going to their 10th DC title - in France.

Their last title came in 2001 defeating Australia at Melbourne Park.

Common denominator: Arnaud Clement was part of that '01 team.

***

Serbia defeated Czech Republic 3-2

4. Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62 64

5. Janko Tipsaveric d Radek Stepanek - 60 76(6) 64

Nice come from behind win for Serbia - dinner at Novak's!

This would be a great way to cap Novak's year - with a DC title.

I do love this photo of him:

***

USA defeated Colombia 3-1

4 Mardy Fish d Santiago Giraldo - 36 63 75 46 86

This keeps the US in the World Group for the Cup in 2011.

It also allows Patrick McEnroe to step down with a win.

Mardy is the first USplayer to win 3 matches since Pete Sampras in '95.

Not surprising -the Bryan Bros kept Roddick & Blake to singles for 10 years.

Photos: AP/Getty Images/Reuters

Davis Cup Semifinal Day Two Results

France defeats Argentine 3-0

3. Clement & Llodra (FRA) d Schwank & Zabellos (ARG) - 64 75 63

Nine-times the champion France advances to it 16th Davis Cup final.

They previously won in 1927-'32, '91, '96 & '01. Their last final was in '02.

With the big stars sidelined Michael Llodra stepped in and stole the tie.

***

Czech Republic leads Serbia 2-1

3. Berdych & Stepanek (CZE) d Dokovic & Zimonjic (SRB) - 36 61 64 61

How much you wanna bet Novak is playing singles tomorrow? Sorry Viktor.

The Czech Republic is seeking it's 2nd straight final - they lost to Spain in '09.

Serbia, a young nation, is trying to advance to its 1st final.

***

And in the World Group Play-Offs

The US leads Colombia 2-1

3. Fish & Isner (USA) d Farah & Salamanca (COL) - 64 64 67(5) 63

You get the feeling Isner is playing tomorrow instead of Querrey?

Maybe Fish can clinch the 1st match & PMac'll give Ryan Harrison a 1st taste.

Photos: Getty Images & Reuters

Davis Cup Semifinals Day One Results

Well, of course Arnaud is gonna cheat to the camera. I expect nothing less.

France leads Argentina: 2-0

1. Michael Llodra (FRA) d Juan Monaco (ARG) - 75 46 75 63

2. Gael Monfils (FRA) d David Nalbandian (ARG) - 64 26 64 63

Note: Argentina has never come back from 2 match dwon in DC play.

With Novak out owing to flu Janko steps in to rescue the day...

Serbia and Czech Republic are tied 1-1

1. Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Viktor Troicki (SRB) - 46 62 64 64

2. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) d Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 75 62 26 76(5)

One wonders: Can the Serbs get to their first final without Novak playing?

*****

And the US squad is in Colombia trying to stay in World Group play...

USA is tied with Colombia 1-1

1. Mardy Fish (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) - 46 61 64 36 64

2. Santiago Giraldo (COL) d Sam Querrey (USA) - 62 64 75

Hind-sight: Even before Querrey played I thought Isner was a better choice.

Novak Djokovic Cruises in to Quarterfinal at US Open

US Open - Men's Fourth Round

3 Novak Djokovic d 19 Mardy Fish - 63 64 61

That win was impressively comprehensive. Completely one-sided.

I seem to always find myself pulling for Novak in most cases - like today.

Mainly cuz I'm sick of hearing about the new improved Fish.

This is the 3rd straight year Novak has made the Qf's: 3-0.

The last 3 years he's only lost to Federer - the final in '07 & Sf's in '08-'09.

They are on course for another semifinal again on Saturday.

Novak will next play the 17th seed Gael Monfils - H2H: 4-0/Novak.

This match will feature tons of flash and personality. Can't wait.

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Moves into 4th Round at US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

3 Novak Djokovic d James Blake - 61 76(4) 63

Every men's night match has been a great one so far this tournament.

James tried so hard to extend this thing but came up a little short in the 2nd.

Novak was a finalist in '07 & Sf'ist the last two years - Federer beat him in all 3.

He will next face lean/mean Mardy Fish - H2H: 4-0.

Given Mardy's recent run of great results this should be an entertaining affair.

Photo: Reuters