Fresh Fish

Other than the Bryan Brothers and a few doubles players with names known to only hardcore tennis fans, Mardy Fish is the lone American left at Wimbledon.

Fish earned a place in the final eight by beating last year's runner-up Tomas Berdych 7-6 6-4 6-4. Fish dominated the match and kept the Czech off balance right to the finish.

Fish is playing smart tennis and using his serve effectively on the grass. "That was one of the best serving days of my life," Fish said in a post match interview.

The American right-hander has only dropped one service game in reaching the quarterfinals and should be feeling good knowing he hasn't had to play a long five-set match.

The same can't be said for his opponent, Rafael Nadal who now is nursing an injury that will require a Tuesday MRI.

In a late-day match, Nadal overcame Juam Martin Del Potro 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in just under four hours. Nadal hurt his foot in the first set. "I asked for the trainer at that moment when the game was done. I seriously didn't know at that moment if I will have the chance to continue playing.

"I don’t know what the problem is, it seems to be a problem with the bone in the foot.

"I thought I would have to retire at the end of the first set because there was a lot of pain. But the tape changed the situation. Now I will have to check with the doctors and the physios. Something is there.

The defending Wimbledon champion said his upcoming opponent Mardy Fish was a dangerous player, admitting he'd need to be at his most competitive on Wednesday to beat the man who toppled 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych in straight sets.  Nadal seems concerned.

"I need be at my hundred per cent. If not, gonna be impossible against him. So I have to recover."

Fish has never beaten Nadal, but with Nadal's tender foot and he match being played on grass, Fish might still be carrying the flag for American tennis come the semifinals.