Mardy Fish, via d.yimg.com.

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As you might expect from a match that featured a fish and a ginger, the tennis was pretty raw.  It's the L.A. tournament, folks, a sushi joke was in order.

Mardy Fish defeated wild card Chris Guccione the match 6-7(3), 7-6(12), 6-4.  The #2 seeded American fended off four match points in the second set tiebreak, including one saved with an impressive stab backhand volley only feet from the net.

With Will Ferrell watching from the front row, Fish was comically powerless against the Australian's serve, only breaking it once.  That one time Fish broke was the first game of the third set, immediately after Guccione had blown four match points and was clearly demoralized.  Watching Fish struggle the entire 2 hour, 22 minute match vs. Guccione's serve makes me wonder if he would have actually been any better against Karlovic in Davis Cup than James Blake was

ESPN2 commentator Pam Shriver kept commenting on how hampered Fish seemed to be in the third set because of a rib injury, but I personally didn't see any evidence of that.  If there is any lingering issue, however, it could mean a huge opportunity for someone else in Fish's decimated half of the draw, which includes only Carsten Ball, John Isner, and Leonardo Mayer.  Not exactly a murderer's row. 

Isner especially should like his chances, but may still be feeling the effects of his ankle injury late vs. Baghdatis.  If he does get better, he'll bring even better serving than Guccione did, which, based on today, mean's Mardy's title hopes could be swimming with the fishes.

I know, I know. I'll be here all week.