Bhim Gillhan blog

Fish becomes top-ranked U.S. player with win

Mardy Fish replaced Andy Roddick as the top-ranked American after beating Spain's David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 on Wednesday to move into the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Fish will play world number two Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals at Key Biscayne after the Serb beat South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-2 for his 24th successive win, a run stretching back to last year.

Fish, currently ranked 15th, will formally overtake his friend and world number eight Roddick when the ATP world rankings are updated next week.

Roddick, struggling with a bronchial infection, made a shock early exit in the defense of his Miami title in his first game, losing to Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Saturday.

"I don't think I will ever feel I am the top-ranked American, Andy has had a pretty good career and he has always been top dog in my generation," Fish said of his former high school team mate.

"I've never been in this position before. Obviously it's very humbling. This is a pretty big country and has a lot of people playing tennis. So I'll try to put it into perspective, and I Will."

Fish said his goal has nothing to do with bettering Roddick and is purely personal.

"Top ten is something that I am aiming for and I will be working my butt off to get there," he said.

Fish had a surprisingly easy passage to the last four, with the normally solid Ferrer fading fast in the second set in the Florida heat and the Spaniard said after the match he had not felt well.

"I had stomach problems all the match. I went to the court, and I when I ran to rallies I had a lot of pain in my stomach. In the second set, I couldn't run anymore," he told reporters.

Djokovic was pumped up throughout his win over Anderson and he had to work hard against the big-serving South African, who produced four aces.

Nonetheless the Serb produced the big shots when it mattered most -- breaking early in both sets.

Djokovic has won all 22 matches he has played this year and his last defeat was against Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour finals in London on November 27.

Thursday's action sees Federer taken on France's Gilles Simon -- who has beaten the Swiss twice in their three meetings and Rafa Nadal has a tricky test against Czech Tomas Berdych.

Should Federer and Nadal win they will meet in Friday's semi-finals. (Editing by Greg Stutchbury)