Djokovic fries Fish to take title

Novak Djokovic ended Mardy Fish’ dream of a first Masters Series title, defeating the plucky American 6-2 5-7 6-3 to clinch the win.

It was the Serb’s third Masters Series title, and not even the most ardent Fish supporter could argue that he did not deserve it, having played the best tennis consistenly all week.

Credit must go to the runner up Fish though, who has now risen 58 places in the rankings. He started the week only just inside the top 100 (98th) but now finds himself 40th, and certainly did not disgrace himself against Djokovic.

Fish started slowly, perhaps fatigued from exertions earlier in the week, and Djokovic broke him twice in the first set to take in comfortably. The world no.3 broke again early in the second and took a 4-2 lead, the situation looking ominous for the American. But showing the kind of courage and determination that has been his calling card at Indian Wells, Fish fought back to break Djokovic twice, winning the set 7-5.

Then came the crucial moment in the match, as ‘The Serbinator’ held off three break points against his serve, serving three aces and two unreturnables to win five straight points to take the game from 0-40. This gave him the impetus he needed, and the very next game he broke Fish and from then on the result never looked in doubt.

All in all, a very exciting weeks tennis, and whilst not quite the emergence of a new star, we are seeing a forgotten one shining bright again.

Fish stuns Federer to meet Djokovic in final

Mardy Fish produced some of the best tennis of his life to win the biggest match of his career so far.

He overwhelmed the world No.1 Roger Federer 6-3 6-2 to progress to his second Masters Series final. The last time he was at this stage, it was at the Cinncinati Masters in 2003, where he lost to Andy Roddick after holding two match points.

Despite having spent six more hours on court this week than the Swiss master, Fish looked the fresher of the two in the opening exchanges, breaking Federer in his first service game. It was the only break he needed to take the first set, and the American went on to break Federer twice more in the second set to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Next up for the flying Fish is world No.3 Novak Djokovic who produced an equally devastating performance to beat Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2. The Serbian went down an early break, but fought back ferociously to break Nadal three times over the match. The Spaniard blamed his poor performance on being tired from gruelling encounters against Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and James Blake.

Djokovic goes into the final a clear favourite, but then, so did all of Fish’ other opponents this week!

Little Fish in the big pond

Mardy Fish will play Roger Federer in the second semi-final at Indian Wells.

The American booked himself a place in the second semi-final with an outstanding victory over David Nalbandian 6-3 6-7 7-6, in what is one of the best result of his career so far.

In a tight match that could have gone either way, it was Fish’ devastating serving that kept Nalbandian constantly on the back foot. It also ends the Argentines hopes of historic hat-trick of Masters Series titles, and is his first defeat in 19 Masters Series matches.

Roger Federer had a much simpler passage into the semi’s, as his opponent Tommy Haas had to withdraw. The German was struck down with a sinus infection, and it means that Federer is in the semi’s having played only six sets.

This lack of match practice could potentially be a stumbling block for the world No.1, as he will need to be at his sharpest to overcome Fish’ powerful serve.

Semi-Final Draw

R.Federer (1) vs. M.Fish; N.Djokovic (3) vs. R.Nadal (2)

Rafa rocks Indian Wells

Just when you thought he might be fading, after all he has not won a tournament since July, Rafael Nadal showed us why he’s catching Federer at the top.

Two emotional, gutsy and ferocious wins over Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and James Blake have catapulted the young Spanish matador back into the public eye, where he undoubtedly belongs.

There are few more inspiring sights to be found on a tennis court than Nadal in battle mode. By all rights he should have lost to Tsonga, 2-5 down in the final set, with the Frenchman hitting bombs, things did not look good for him. But showing a fighting spirit that is above and beyond any other player in the top 20 (including Federer), he dragged himself back from the brink, reeling of five straight games to win the match 6-7 7-6 7-5.

Then the very next day he was back on the court, this time to end the hopes of American James Blake 7-5 3-6 6-3. Next up for Rafa is the formidable Novak Djokovic who has cruised into the semifinals without dropping a set. A match not to be missed for any fan.

In the other half of the draw, the two quarter finals have some unexpected participants. Tommy Haas, former world no.2 has surprised everyone, and probably himself in getting there. The German has beaten Andy Roddick, Fernando Verdasco, and Andy Murray to get there, so you can’t say he does not deserve it.

After a shocking opening set against Murray, he clicked into gear and from then on was simply too good for the young Brit, winning it 2-6 7-5 6-3. Next up for Haas is Roger Federer, who like Djokovic, has not dropped a set so far, nor looked like dropping one.

The other surprise package this week has been American Mardy Fish, who is keeping the home fans hopes alive. Fish has notably beaten Nikolay Davydenko and Lleyton Hewitt to get into the quarters, where he now faces David Nalbandian, who beat Juan Carlos Ferrero comfortably 6-2 6-2 to get there. My money is predictably on a Federer-Nalbandian semi final, but Haas and Fish have both proved that they are capable of upsetting the very best.

Elsewhere it was defeat for the other Murray brother, as Jamie went out of the doubles at the semi-final stage. With new partner Max Mirnyi, they defeated number one seeds the Bryan brothers, but could not get past Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram who beat them 6-3 6-4.

All eyes on centre court for Super Rafa vs. Super Nole (Djokovic’s nickname!)