Since Wimbledon, Fish has won at Newport Beach and Atlanta and will play Roger Federer on Sunday aiming for his first Masters series title.
American Mardy Fish has put himself firmly among the challengers for the US Open, his defeated opponent and compatriot Andy Roddick said on Saturday.
Since Wimbledon, Fish has won at Newport Beach and Atlanta and will play Roger Federer on Sunday aiming for his first Masters series title.
Even if Fish, who enjoyed his only victory over Federer the last time they met at Indian Wells in 2008, were to lose the final, Roddick believes he has earned the right to be considered a real contender at Flushing Meadows.
"You're going to have the normal cast of characters as the favourites and then that next kind of tier of four or five guys and I think Mardy has played himself into that discussion," Roddick said. "I think with this week I've kind of put myself back in that discussion."
Roddick will re-enter the top 10 in next week's rankings after reaching the last four but Fish has flown up the rankings and will be 21st, even if he loses Sunday's final.
In the guide to current hard court form in North America, the U.S Open Series rankings, only Britain's Andy Murray is above Fish, who agrees with his old school mate and friend that he is in the frame at the US Open, which begins on August 30.
"I think it's fair to say. I've won a lot of matches this summer, more than most guys," Fish said.
"You know, the US Open Series, there's no better way to judge than that. I think I'm pretty high up that list.
"I feel great, I've done some things that I have never done in my career and won more matches this year up to this point than I ever have.
"I have a great opportunity to improve my ranking to where I've never been before."
It is a sign of the growing respect for Fish that 16-time Grand Slam winner Federer said he is hoping to avoid the American in New York.
But, the Swiss, while acknowledging Fish's capacity to produce a surprise, is not convinced he has enough of a track record in Grand Slams, where he has only twice reached the quarter-finals.
"He can definitely cause the upset," Federer said.
"Now, if he can go all the way, that's a completely different story, because that's seven matches over five sets and that's not something he's used to doing, you know.
"But he's definitely got the game, especially on the American hardcourts ... I hope Mardy is not in my section of the draw."
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