Swept Up: Fish, Bryan Close out Swiss in Dubs
By Chris Oddo
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Photo Credit: Siggi Bucher
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(February 11, 2012) Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish were everything that they needed to be on the doubles court today. They were brash, bold and unforgivingly precise. They were passionate, focused and relentlessly clutch.
Now, after securing a stunning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 tie-clinching victory over former Olympic gold medalists Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, they can rest. With an insurmountable 3-0 lead, the Americans have secured a place in the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals in early April.
“Obviously, we’re real proud of what those guys did out there,” said Jim Courier. “It’s a lot of fun to work with these guys – it’s a real privilege.”
Mike Bryan was able to get in sync with Mardy Fish after some rocky moments early in the match, and the rest was history for the Americans. “It was my fault,” said Fish of surrendering the opening break in the match’s first game. “We came out a little nervous obviously. It was the only bad game we played the entire match.”
The American tandem did not face another break point for the rest of the day, and they took advantage of Stan Wawrinka’s serving troubles to score the decisive break against Wawrinka’s serve in each of the final three sets. As the match wore on, it was clear that Fish and Bryan were playing as one, while Federer and Wawrinka seemed a little lost, perhaps due to nerves.
Fish, filling in for Bob Bryan, who is home celebrating the birth of his newborn daughter, played like a doubles specialist today. He consistently nailed reflex volleys and displayed an uncanny sense for where to be on the court and where to place his shots. “He played like Bob,” said a thrilled Mike Bryan, of his temporary partner. “A big hi to Bob back at home, and baby Micaela and Michelle, but it was a lot of fun playing with Mardy. He brings the energy. You know, he’s a clutch player.”
“Mardy’s a great doubles player. He showed it today,” added American Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier. “You always want to have Bob and Mike playing together, but if you can’t, Mardy’s the guy you want.”
“It’s never easy,” said Wawrinka of the disappointing loss for a Swiss team that many considered to be a threat to win the Davis Cup this season. In spite of having a great history with Federer on the doubles court, Wawrinka lamented their lack of practice as a pair of late. “We don’t play that much together.”
“It was a tough match,” added Federer, who whiffed on a backhand at 30-all in the final game to give the Americans the only match point opportunity they would need. “They started to play maybe a touch better and we kind of dropped our level just a tiny bit… We paid the price dearly.”
For the Swiss it has been a deflating weekend. Federer’s first appearance in the first round of Davis Cup since 2004 had sparked excitement in Switzerland, but the pesky Americans hold all the excitement now, after scoring three come from behind victories that will make Sunday’s tennis basically an exhibition. “It’s always disappointing whether Roger is playing or not when you lose,” said a subdued Swiss Captain Severin Luthi.
The Americans, meanwhile, can look forward to traveling to face the winner of this weekend’s Canada-France tie in the quarterfinals. “Okay C’mon Canada,” joked Bob Bryan with a wry smile. “We can go anywhere, but Canada is a little closer.”
For now, the Americans can revel in the emotional lift that this surprise victory is providing. With all the “American tennis is dead” talk that has been circulating, the inspiring play of Isner, Fish and Bryan provides a welcome respite from the harsh criticism that seems to perpetually follow the Americans wherever they go.
The U.S. may not be the world tennis power that many want them to be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have heart.
That much they made clear today.