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(July 24, 2010) Racing to his right, Mardy Fish was well off the doubles alley when he caught up to the drop volley and flicked a running forehand pass crosscourt.

Shedding nearly 30 pounds in the offseason, a sleeker, fitter Fish streaked past former Boca Raton housemate Andy Roddick, 7-6(5), 6-3, to snap one streak and stretch another in advancing to the Atlanta Tennis Championships final.

The sixth-seeded Fish won his ninth consecutive match and snapped a nine-match losing streak to good friend and sometime doubles partner Roddick.

"It's one of the best wins I've had," Fish said. "Obviously, to come back from what I came through, it's big. It's tough beating a friend like that. He couldn't be nicer at the net. He said 'I'm so proud of you. I know how hard you've worked. Enjoy it.; "

Extended effort has paid off for Fish, who advanced to his second straight final following his victory over Olivier Rochus in the Newport final. Fish will face fellow American John Isner in Sunday's 3 p.m. final, which will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

The second-seeded Isner smacked 20 aces in a 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3 victory over 6-foot-8 Kevin Anderson. Isner and Fish have played once previously with Fish prevailing 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-5 in San Jose last year.

"He's got one of the best serves in the world," Fish said of Isner. "His second serve is going to jump through the roof. You've gotta hold serve and try to take advantages of your chances. This is the spot I wanted to be in, so we'll just enjoy it."

Fish fought off three break points in his opening service game and did not face another break point the rest of the match. Fish served just 40 percent, but won 27 of 28 points played on his first serve.

The top-seeded Roddick got sloppy in the sixth game of the second set and paid the price. Standing a few feet from net, Roddick slapped an easy overhead into the middle of the net then missed a backhand to drop serve and fall behind 2-4 in the final set.