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