In his 12-year career, American Mardy Fish had never reached the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson. Then he defeated his longtime friend Juan Martin del Potro, 7-5, 7-6 (5) to move on in Miami. Fish was able to take the final set on the sixth match point. The match lasted two and a half hours in 85-degree sunshine. Fish, the No. 14 seed, hit 38 winners.
2011 Sony Ericsson Open Results: Mardy Fish Ousts Friend Juan Martin del Potro
The world No. 15’s next match is against David Ferrer of Spain. If the 29-year old American wins, he will become the top-ranked American on the ATP for the first time in his career.
Andy Roddick, the current top-ranked American at No. 8. Roddick and the tournament’s defending champion, was thrown from the tournament in the opening round. His ranking is expected to fall to around No. 15. American John Isner was the only other American into the fourth round. He lost 6-3, 7-6 (4)
"I certainly wouldn't feel like the top-ranked American, considering what Andy (Roddick) has accomplished and what I've accomplished," Fish said. "His career has quadrupled mine, at least."
For more updates on the Sony Ericsson Open, keep an eye on The Daily Forehand.
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