The U.S. summer hardcourt series got under way this week with the Atlanta Tennis Championships. In a replay of last year‘s final, Mardy Fish and John Isner collided in the ultimate match. The result was similar as Fish vanquished Isner 3-6,7-6,6-2 to defend his trophy.

With the title in Newport a few weeks ago, Isner was trying to win back to back title for the initial time in his career while Fish was in his maiden final of the season.

As a result of a double fault, Isner faced double break point to open the match. However, by finding his serve, Isner held. Later on, when Fish’s forehand sailed long on break point, Isner took a 3-1 lead. This was the difference in the first set, as Isner went on to guard serve and carry it 6-3.

With a forehand miscue by Fish on break point, Isner capitalized and secured the initial game of the second set. Soon though, with a backhand down the line winner, Fish manufactured double break point. When Isner double faulted, the players were back on serve.

Since neither contender could fabricate another break point, the second set went to a tiebreaker. Subsequent to getting the initial point, Isner got on a roll and built a 5-1 advantage. Then, with a powerful forehand, Isner forced Fish into a mistake to obtain double championship point at 6-4.

Yet, by pushing his backhand long and with Fish thumping an ace, Isner watched two chances combust. Promptly, with a superb backhand crosscourt volley winner, Fish had set point. Next, as Isner hit a forehand wide, Fish captured the second set.

At the start of the previous set, Isner seemed to be suffering from the heat. On the other hand, Fish looked like he had hardly warmed up after tiebreaker. Consequently, Isner would need to draw on all his reserves to pull off a victory.

With Isner double faulting, Fish arrived at double break point. When Isner’s backhand dropshot missed its mark, Fish banked the opening game of the decider.

After Fish consolidated with a love game, Isner easily guarded serve to stay one game behind. With Fish serving at 3-2, Isner struck a nice backhand down the line winner for double break point.

Still in the longest rally of the afternoon, fatigue bested Isner causing him to send a forehand long. Ultimately, Fish maintained serve and extended his lead.

When Isner double faulted on break point, Fish had a 5-2 edge. After quickly reaching triple match point, Fish crushed a forehand crosscourt winner to claim the championship.

Fish stated that he was “lucky” to come away with the win because “nine out of ten times when John is up a set and a break, he will close it out”. Furthermore, Fish expressed he cannot remember Isner ever surrendering a tiebreaker after a 5-1 advantage.

Fish admitted that fitness was in part a factor “I felt great. . . I pride myself on my fitness now”.

This upcoming week, Fish will be the top seed at the Farmers’ Classic. Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2008 champion, will make his summer hardcourt debut as the second seed at the same event.

The Olympus U.S. Open series kicked off this week with the return of the ATP to Atlanta following a nine year absence.  With a 4-6,6-4,7-6 victory, Mardy Fish, the sixth seed, overcame John Isner, the second seed, to carry the Atlanta Tennis Championships.  Since capturing the Newport title, Fish has been on a roll and now has a ten match winning streak.  Atlanta is Fish’s fifth career trophy.

For Isner who played his collegiate tennis in the area, this was a homecoming.  The former Georgia bulldog had plenty of supporters in the stands.  With an ace, Fish sealed the first game of the match. Then, courtesy of a forehand error and a double fault, Fish had two break points on Isner’s initial service game.  However, Isner held for 1 all.  Serving at 2 all, Fish faced triple break point.  But, by provoking a few return errors from Isner, Fish got to deuce.  After erasing a fourth break point, Fish secured the game with an ace.  Yet, Fish’s next time out, with a double fault and two forehand miscues, he  gave Isner two more break chances.  Isner converted when Fish double faulted.  After easily consolidating, Isner jumped to a 5-3 advantage and eventually captured the set with an ace.

In the second set, Fish placed more pressure on Isner’s serve.  Therefore, Fish was rewarded with a break point when Isner netted a backhand crosscourt in the eighth game.  Still, Isner pulled out the game for 4 all.  But, subsequent to a love game by Fish, Isner committed three consecutive mistakes including a double fault to give his rival triple break point.  When Isner’s forehand volley sailed wide, Fish took the second set.

The previous set on a changeover, Isner received treatment to his right shoulder.  However, there were no signs of injury as Isner used his serve to get out of a 15-30 predicament his first game of the last set.  For his part, Fish was guarding serve comfortably, with a love game for 2-1. As a result of a double fault, Read the full story