Defending Champion Mardy Fish Advances to Quarter Finals in ATC Action

Thursday’s action at the Atlanta Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of the South set up what looks to be a big weekend of tennis. The quarterfinals were set, and the semifinals will be determined Friday.

In the first singles match of the day, 19-year old American Ryan Harrison defeated No. 4 seed Xavier Malisse. With the match tied at a set a piece and 2-1 in the third set, lightning and then rain halted play for two-and-a-half hours. When the match restarted, Harrison dropped a quick break of serve, but battled to get it back and in the next game. From there he grabbed the upper hand and won 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4.

With his win over the No. 40 Malisse, Harrison is into his second career ATP World Tour quarterfinal. This year he has five wins over top 50-ranked opponents, and it shows in his confidence.

“Ever since the (2010) US Open, I have more belief in myself. A light bulb went off for me knowing that I can beat these guys. Even against Ferrer, Soderling and Roger (Federer), I had chances. I know I could play with those guys,” he said.

Defending champion Mardy Fish also punched his quarterfinal ticket yesterday with a win over Frenchman Nicholas Mahut 6-3, 6-3. Fish cruised to a relatively easy win, but all matches have their moments of tension. Fish dropped a break in the second set, but like a veteran he battled to get it right back.

RESULTS - Thursday, JULY 21, 2011
Men's
Singles - Second Round
[1] M Fish (USA) d N Mahut (FRA) 63 63
R Harrison (USA) d [4] X Malisse (BEL) 67(3) 64 64
[8] S Devvarman (IND) d T Ito (JPN) 61 63
[Q] R Ram (USA) d L Hewitt (AUS) 75 26 62

Men's
Doubles - Quarterfinals
[4] C Fleming (GBR) / R Hutchins (GBR) d I Kunitsyn (RUS) / M Russell (USA) 63 61
R Berankis (LTU) / X Malisse (BEL) d S Devvarman (IND) / T Huey (PHI) 61 76(5)

******************************************************

ORDER OF PLAY - FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011
STADIUM COURT start 12:00 noon
G Muller (LUX) vs [2] K Anderson (RSA)
[WC] D Bernstein (USA) / K King (USA) vs M Bachinger (GER) / F Moser (GER) - Possible Court Change

Not Before 4:00 PM
Y Lu (TPE) vs [3] J Isner (USA)

Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] M Fish (USA) vs [8] S Devvarman (IND)
R Harrison (USA) vs [Q] R Ram (USA)

Editor's note: Ron Cioffi USTA Southern Director of Communications, provided the information for this report.

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