Player of the Month for July 2010: Mardy Fish

Becoming a consummate professional can never hurt any player’s chances of achieving tour success.

You eat right, sleep early, do your crunches, and good things are bound to happen.

Early on during the career of Minnesota born Mardy Fish, the sacred scriptures of how to become a world-class player didn’t really apply. He’d party ’till dawn, eat a juicy cheeseburger, and become more consumed with adding to his lavish jean collection than improving on his split step at the net.

The American would reach a final here, upset Roger Federer there, but then just as quickly slip back into journeyman obscurity. If Fish was consistent in any facet of his game prior to the 2010 season, it was missing a forehand wide, and taking his talents for granted. But with the declining age of 29 fast approaching, Fish finally decided to put aside his bad habits and become serious about his future.

Losing a hefting 30lbs from his frame, Fish engulfed himself in a disciplined diet that would allow for better court movement. Already holding the easy power in his serve motion, Fish can now glide around the court and hit his weaker forehand with more depth. While power remains the most devastating weapon in the modern game, speed, and agility will always allow for championships to be won.

Beginning his season with a few semifinal finishes, Fish’s year (and hard-work) began to payoff at the Queen’s Club event in London. Reaching the finals of the premier Wimbledon tune up tournament, Fish would lose to countryman Sam Querrey, but take away the knowledge that his fitness regime had almost peaked.

Losing early at The Big W, Fish would keep his baseball cap on tight, while continuing to plug away at future glory. The days of feeling sorry for himself and not being able to back up a good set, or a good win were a thing of the past. It was time to get back to work.

Winning his sixth career title on the grass of Newport, Fish remained in sharp form heading into the first week of the US Open Series. Entering the inaugural Atlanta event as the No. 6th seed, Fish didn’t lose a set in reaching the finals, which included a defeat of top ranked Andy Roddick in the semifinals. Winning only his second match against Roddick lifetime, Fish moved onto this third final in his past four events, and would next face giant serving countryman John Isner.

Defeating Isner in three thrilling sets, Fish was forced to deal with the oppressive on-court temperatures, while deflecting the seemingly impossible serves of his opponent. Overcoming the elements and an inspired opponent, Fish gutted out a third set tiebreak win for his seventh career title.

Admitting after his victory that he would have never won the contest with his previous build, Fish had this to say during his post-match presser.

“This is as top as I’ve ever been,” said Fish. “I’ve never won two tournaments in one year, I’ve never won two tournaments in a row, and on the ATP [World] Tour, I’ve never won 10 matches in a row. It’s probably as good as it’s been. ”

Making the veteran decision to skip the LA Open last week in order to regroup, Fish will take his confidence and new found durability into this week’s Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C.

Seeded No. 15 in Washington, Fish will have to contend with a tough quarter which will include: Querrey, Llyeton Hewitt, and Marin Cilic.

The stakes will be higher in D.C. considering the point value of the event and the players that will be present. However, winning 10 straight matches on tour is never a fact that any opponent is willing to overlook, and Fish will certainly enter Washington with a definite mental edge.

There’s no question that winning in Washington, or the forthcoming events in Toronto or Cincinnati will be far more difficult that his two previous titles. But if Fish has learned anything in the past year it’s that everyday brings forth a different set variables that no one can control. With his fitness in the palm of his hand, and the knowledge of not becoming fatigued a certainty, his potent game can take flight with continued ease.

It’s never easy to put aside a night of partying, or the greasy delight of an oily cheeseburger. But as Fish has learned with his past experiences, the true mark of living up to one’s potential is the diligent and unglamorous work that is achieved behind the scenes, when the cameras are turned off.

The road to the US Open will take over the tennis radar for the next six weeks. What Mardy Fish can hope for at this point—what he can now trust in more than anything else—is the confidence that he’s done all that he can do in order to succeed.

Ferrero Claims his Third Title of the Season in Umag

ATP Studena Croatia Open—Umag

Former French Open champ Juan Carlos Ferrero captured his first career title in Umag on Sunday over Italian Potito Starace. Prevailing in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, Ferrero pocketed his third title of the season, while improving to 6-1 lifetime over his unseeded opponent. Using his court quickness and experience to break serve once in each set, Ferrero finished the match with 20 forehand winners.

Losing a mere three points on his first serve throughout the one hour and 21 minute affair, Ferrero improved his season mark to 31-13, while winning three or more titles for the third time in a season.

Starace, who had previously lost in in the finals of two clay-court tournaments in 2007, fell to 21-18 in 2010. The 29-year-old Italian also lost to Ferrero during the second-round of last year’s Umag event.

For his efforts in Croatia, Ferrero took home € 72,150 in prize money, and 250 ATP World Tour points. Starace finished the week with € 37,900 in winnings, and  150 ATP World Tour points.

Ferrero was defeated in last year’s final by Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-0.

The Spaniard will next see action at the Masters 1000 event in Toronto.

Alberto Martin Retires From Circuit

Spanish veteran Alberto Martin has retired from the ATP World Tour following a hernia injury. The 31-year-old spent 15 years on Tour, during which time he collected three titles and a career high ranking of No. 34. Possessing a terrific one-handed backhand, Martin ended his career with a 218-269 record, and $3,840,885 in prize money.

The Barcelona native, who represented Spain in Davis Cup action, reached the fourth-round of the French Open in 2006 (his best Major finish).

Martin’s immediate plans post retirement are not known at this time.

Hamburg Champ Golubev Loses First Match in Gstaad

Capturing his first career title in Hamburg, Germany last week, Andrey Golubev couldn’t keep his momentum going in Gstaad on Monday.

Losing in three sets to countryman Yuri Schukin, Golubev became the third Tour winner in the past month to lose in the first-round after capturing a title the previous week.

Nicolas Almagro and Albert Montanes recently stumbled in first-round matches in Hamburg after winning in Bastad and Stuttgart, respectively.

It pays to take a week off, Andrey, just ask Mardy Fish.

John Inser Post Wimbledon Video Interview From Atlanta

In this video interview by Paul Macpherson from the atpworldtour.com, American John Isner discusses his world wind media Tour after his Wimbledon epic against Nicolas Mahut.

Appearing a little jaded in the video, Isner confesses that he’s happy to be back on Tour, and hopes that the rest of his career will be able to overshadow his Wimbledon feat.

Isner will take to the court on Wednesday in Atlanta to play his second-round match.

John Inser Post Wimbledon Video Interview From Atlanta.

A Few Words For Montanes

He may not have the physique of Rafael Nadal, or the sex appeal of Fernando Verdasco, but Spaniard Albert Montanes continues to turn heads on the ATP World Tour.

Capturing his second title of the season on Sunday, the 29-year-old from Barcelona proved that his success on the second tier of the circuit was no fluke.

Defeating Roger Federer in Estoril earlier this year for his fourth career title, Montanes benefited from an ankle injury to Gael Monfils in Stuttgart over the weekend for his fifth career title.  Using his deceptively powerful one-handed backhand, Montanes’ off the apex hit serve is always difficult to read.

In a day and age where Tour success in Spain has hit legendary proportions, Montanes has proved that just because he’s entering the twilight of his career, there’s no reason to slow down.

Picking up 80 percent of his Tour hardware after the age of 28, Montanes’ fit and efficient game has taken him to a career high rank of No. 24 this week. Reaching the third-round of every Major thus far in 2010, Montanes may not push for his maiden Grand Slam title anytime soon, but he’s certainly one to watch when the draws are released.

There’s always been an endearing quality about players who enjoy maximizing their talents. It’s not so much about winning Wimbledon or topping the rankings as the longest standing No. 1—it’s more about the experience of respecting their profession and understanding that their day job is to travel and rip a forehand.

With all of the hoop la that’s surrounded the Dennis Rodmans and Cristiano Ronaldos of the world, Montanes has upheld and surpassed what a role model in sports should be: A hard-working, dedicated athlete who wakes up every morning with the sole purpose of improving.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Montanes looks forward to tournaments such as Estoril, Umag, and Bucharest. The fields are usually not top heavy, and Montanes can let his shots fly with a greater degree of confidence. It’s not that Montanes doesn’t want to be challenged by the towering fields in New York or Australia—more than anything, the Barcelona native has accepted that his time to shine will likely come at 250 point events.

That to me is a wonderful quality for a Tour player to have. Let’s be honest here, how many players who are slogging it out in the Futures and Challengers events wouldn’t sign up for a chance to hold a top 25 ranking, and two Tour titles on the year?

You probably wouldn’t have Nadal or Novak Djokovic stand in that line, but there’s no doubt that the Taylor Dents and Janko Tipsarevics on Tour would be more than adamant on filling that position.

Saluting Montanes for his efforts, it’s once again a pleasure to witness a player who is not looking for billboard status, but merely to enjoy the wonderful experience of traveling the globe and telling a ball person that he needs a towel.

There may only be one Rafael Nadal, but the sport in general would greatly benefit with more Albert Montanes’ around.

Gabashvili Changes His First Name

Russian tennis player Teimuraz Gabashvili has changed his first name to Teymuraz, the atpworldtour.com confirmed last week.

Reaching the fourth-round of Roland Garros in May, Gabashvili is currently ranked No. 93 in the world.

The 25-year-old is coached by Francisco Roig (Rafael Nadal’s coach) and Alvaro Margets from Barcelona Total Tennis Club.

Gabashvili becomes the second player in the top 100 to change his name this year. Ukrainian upstart Alexandr Dolgopolov changed his name from Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. before the start of the clay-court season.

Davydenko Bounced in Stuttgart; Verdasco Previals in Sweden

MercedesCup—Stuttgart, Germany

Top seed Nikolay Davydenko lost his first match of an event for the first time since October of last year when he was defeated by Daniel Gimeno-Traver in Stuttgart on Thursday.

Falling in three sets, 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-1, Davydenko appeared fatigued from his Davis Cup duties over the weekend. Splitting his two singles matches in Moscow, Davydenko lost his serve on three occasions, while winning 45 percent of his second serve points.

To Gimeno-Traver’s credit, he struck 12 aces and won 73 percent of his first serve points. Previously losing to his Russian opponent on one occasion, Gimeno-Traver improved to 9-17 on the year and will next face Marco Chiudinelli in the quarterfinals. Gimeno-Traver also captured his first ever top 10 win.

Chiudinelli ended the hopes of local favorite Bjorn Phau by defeating the German 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Davydenko will now remain in Germany and prepare for his title defense in Hamburg next week.

Elsewhere, former French Open champ Juan Carlos Ferrero fought past Argentine Horacio Zeballos in a match that was carried over from Wednesday. Trailing by a set when the encounter was called due to poor weather at 6-all in the second set, Ferrero returned to the court today full of vigor and prevailed 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-2.

Matches that are still to come on day four action will include:

Gael Monfils vs. Pablo Andujar, and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs. Florian Mayer.

SkiStar Swedish Open—Bastad, Sweden

No. 2 seed Fernando Verdasco got off to a flying start at the Swedish Open today with 6-1, 6-1 victory over Stephane Robert of France.

Snapping a three match losing streak, Verdasco reached his eighth quarterfinal of the season in 67-minutes. Winning 73 percent of his first serve points, Verdasco broke serve on five of 11 occasions while never losing his delivery.

Improving to 34-12 on the year, Verdasco will next face countryman Tommy Robredo for a spot in the semifinals. Robredo needed three sets to dispatch Andrey Golubev 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Franco Skugor, a 22-year-old Croat, defeated up-and-coming Swede Ervin Eleskovic 6-2, 6-3. Recording the first Tour level quarterfinal of his career, Skugor will next face the winner of the day’s last match between No. 4 seed Nicolas Almagro and Finn Jarrko Nieminen.

Verdasco Receives Legg Mason Wildcard

WASHINGTON, DC (12 July 2010) – Fernando Verdasco, ranked No. 10 on the South African Airways ATP World Tour Singles Rankings, has received the second (of four available) Wild Card berths for the 2010 Legg Mason Tennis Classic presented by GEICO, an ATP World Tour 500 and Olympus US Open Series event.  He joins a growing list of players who are making their Legg Mason Tennis Classic debut this year – and brings the number of Top 10 players to four.  The Legg Mason Tennis Classic takes place July 31 through August 8 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center (16^th & Kennedy Streets, NW).

Verdasco has steadily climbed the rankings since turning pro, but he first garnered wider international attention at the start of the 2009 season, when he reached the final at Brisbane, then the semifinals at the Australian Open, falling in a five-set epic against Rafael Nadal, a match that has achieved “classic” status and a finish that moved him into the Top 10 for the first time in his career.  In fact, the Madrid native compiled his best career season by finishing in the Top 10 for 2009 and qualifying for his first year-end championship at Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

He has earned five career ATP singles titles, including two this year – at Barcelona and San Jose.  His eight career runner-up finishes include Nice and the ATP World Tour 1000 in Monte Carlo this year.  He has also been a Davis Cup stalwart for Spain.

Verdasco has probably drawn as much attention off the court as on – from his underwear ads for Calvin Klein to posing nude for Cosmopolitan, to raise awareness of male cancer for the Everyman Campaign.

The event will also feature: Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick, Marin Cilic, John Isner, and Sam Querrey.

Movers and Shakers On Tour After Wimbledon

With three of the four Grand Slam events completed for the season, the year-end rankings are beginning to take shape heading into the US hard-court swing.

Spaniard Rafael Nadal remains No. 1 in the world by capturing his second Wimbledon title, while Novak Djokovic moves up to the No. 2 position in the world. Roger Federer dropped down to the No. 3 spot with his quarterfinal defeat at Wimbledon, and is not expected to return to action until the Toronto event.

Andy Roddick also fell to the No. 9 rank in the world after his fourth-round exit. By contrast, Roddick’s conqueror Yen-Hsun Lu moved up 40 spots to No. 42 in the world.

Finally, Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych entered the top 10 after his superb fortnight. The towering Czech currently resides at the No. 8 position.

It will be interesting to monitor the rise and fall of the top 10 going forward, considering Nadal’s fragile knees on hard-courts, and Federer’s willingness to recapture the top spot.

With about a month off before all the major players in the sport return to action, the count down will continue to build as we get set for the final Slam of the year in New York to take place.

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