Fish Feels He Can Make Run At Gambill

Most players won’t talk before their matches. It’s unnecessary, uncalled for, uncool.

Then there’s Mardy Fish, a breath of fresh air, a kid in a candy story, a fish out of water. Fish, who will meet Spokane’s Jan-Michael Gambill in the first round today, is a first-timer in the men’s open draw. He turned pro in September 1999 after working his way up through the junior ranks. Like Gambill three years ago, he is here on a wild-card invitation.

Fish has been in New York more than a week, hanging out at the USTA National Tennis Center, checking out more than the quick hard-court surfaces.

“I’ve been running around, trying to find girls,” the happy-go-lucky Fish said Tuesday morning after practice. Fish, 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, is 18 and lives in Vero Beach, Fla. He and Gambill are friends. Last month, the two were in Spain. Gambill played on the U.S. Davis Cup team and Fish was a practice partner. Gambill is ranked 27th in the world. Fish is 349th, but naturally, he has upset on his mind.

“I’m going to hit it to his forehand,” he said. “He does everything well. He comes forward well. If you play solid and play the strategy you want to play, anyone can beat anyone. That’s not to say I can beat Jan-Michael. But look at Vladimir Voltchkov. He was 215th in the world and he got to the semis of Wimbledon.”

Aside from Top 25 status, there are other things Gambill has that Fish wants. For starters, there’s his People magazine 50 most beautiful people status. “Give me some time and I’ll be there, too,” he said.