Wimbledon 2011: Mardy Fish Versus the World, Including Rafael Nadal

Mardy Fish has experienced more than one first while playing at Wimbledon this year.

Fish played against Berdych for the very first time on Monday. Fish also beat Berdych and gained a place in the quarterfinals for the first time in his career at Wimbledon.

How did he do it?

Killer serves, volleying well and being in top physical condition at 29 years of age.

After recommitting himself to tennis in 2010 and getting into the best shape of his life, Fish is achieving much more than he ever thought was possible.

He is now one of the top-10 male players in the world and is ranked higher than his close friend and fellow American, Andy Roddick.

Though he has achieved much in the last year and a half, the challenges do not get any easier.

For his first quarterfinal berth, Fish will face the 2011 French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

Though Nadal injured his heel in his match against Juan Martin Del Potro, the Nadal camp is reporting it is nothing serious.

Even if Nadal's heel bothers him slightly, Fish will need everything in his arsenal to battle his way through the quarterfinals.

Fish will likely rely on his powerful serve. He is also no stranger to the net. He will come in and he will put shots away. Nadal will have to stay on his toes and be ready to come in towards the net quickly.

There is no question regarding Fish's fitness, but there are questions about Nadal's.

Rafa has recently expressed more concern about his knees and the possibility of further medical tests after Wimbledon. With his recent heel injury, one has to wonder how mobile he will be the rest of the tournament?

Do not count Rafa out, though. Nadal is a fighter in every sense of the word. He will fight and scramble his way through every point.

Fish has become quicker and more agile because of his fitness. Combine this with a huge serve and a doubles player who knows how to volley better than most and you have a very interesting match lined up.

It's the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. What else would you expect?

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/752244-wimbledon-2011-mardy-fish-verses-the-world-including-rafael-nadal

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