Mardy Fish today took down Paul-Henri-Mathieu (24) in four sets today, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Fish who is in the middle of his third comeback is showing some life in his game with a summer of good results. Fish’s serve, which is his main course, served 27 aces and won 85% of his first serve points.

Fish hasn’t been this far in a Slam since Australia when he lost in the third round to Jarrko Nieminen.

James Blake (9) was given a pass today as his opponent had to pull out at the beginning of the third set. After splitting sets, 4-6, 6-3, Blake took a 1-0 lead over Steve Darcis when the Belgian pulled out with an injury.

Blake will next play fellow American Mardy Fish. Both are good friends and competitive so this could make for an exciting match. You know, nobody ever wants to lose to a close friend. Blake holds a 2-1 advantage here, with James winning the last one in 2007 at the Pilot Pen.

Venus Williams (7) today joined her compatriots in the third round with a resounding, 6-0, 6-3 over Rosanna De Los Rios. In just under an hour Venus dispatched her opponent and now will have her first real test of the tournament by Alona Bondarenko (27) of the Ukraine.

Sister Serena (4) followed later that night with a trouncing of Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1. Next up the aging Ai Sugiyama.

On the British front Andy Murray (6) came through a hard fought match against the fiery Frenchman Michael Llodra, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6. The 2 ½ hour match showed that all the physical training that Murray has been putting in is finally paying dividends. Next up for Murray is Jurgen Melzer. Melzer completely demolished Jiri Vanek, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Melzer, who shows signs of brilliance, could show Murray some trouble in this round. But then again we could see the Melzer of old and Murray could be in the fourth round before we know it.

David Nalbandian  is quietly making his way through the draw here. The No. 7 seed dispatched Andrey Golubev 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Always a dangerous player he next will

A disappointing side to the tournament has been the top two seeds in the women’s draw. Jankovic was nearly dispatched in the first round, picked herself up off the court (literally, after lying on it) to win late in the third. But for her compatriot (Ana Ivanovic)the news was far worse. After being the finalist in Australia and winning Roland Garros, she has now been dispatched in the third round of Wimbledon and the second round here in New York.

Ivanovic did pull out of the Olympics due to a thumb injury, which she seems to still be suffering from here. Unfortunately for Ivanovic she has distinguished herself with a dubious record. This was the earliest a No.1 seed has lost at the US Open in the open era.

In other news:

World No. 1’s Take the Spotlight

It is called the Big Bang in Penang and no it is not a dish you can order at your favorite Chinese restaurant. And no it’s not the hottest cocktail from Malaysia. It is what is being billed a new competition called The King’s of Tennis.

The event will only allow World No. 1’s; that would be men only and singles players only. John McEnroe was on hand as well as Bjorn Borg to make the anticipated announcement about this event that which will take place in Malaysia, Nov. 14-16, 2008. Does that date sound familiar? Those with a calendar will note that it will take place right during the Master’s Cup. Which is a bit of an odd choice for a date since ALL No. 1s, even current players, are eligible to play.

The hope of this event is that it will be an annual event and include 10 players. It is slated as Europe vs. Americas.  So where do the Aussies fit in?

Line-up

Europe                                       Americas

Ilie Nastase (Captain)               Roy Emerson (Captain)

Bjorn Borg                               John McEnroe

Mats Wilander                          Marcelo Rios

Stefan Edberg                          Pete Sampras

And two players to be named later as wildcards.

So maybe Roger, Rafa or Roddick will miss the Masters Cup and go to Malaysia? Yeah, I don’t think so. Well we will see where it goes from here. There will be two singles matches and a doubles match on both the first two days and on Sunday it will wrap up with four singles matches.

Singles Format: two sets and a 10 point tiebreaker if need be

Doubles Format: Same, but no ad scoring.