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When the ATP asked tennis fans on Twitter to describe a great tennis story in four words, the USA Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish had no doubts, citing his victory over Roger Federer. Roger and Mardy played against each other nine times, with the Swiss scoring eight triumphs, five in straight sets.
It all started at Wimbledon 2003 when Federer grabbed a 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 victory, dominating in sets he won to stay on the course towards the first Major crown. In Madrid that year, Fish fought well on an indoor court in set number two before losing 6-3, 7-6, propelling Federer into the quarters after an hour and 32 minutes.
In 2004, Roger needed 71 minutes to dismiss Mardy 6-4, 6-1 in Indian Wells and delivered another absolute triumph in Halle in June in under an hour.
Mardy Fish defeated Roger Federer once from nine encounters.
The Swiss proved to be too strong in Indian Wells 2005 as well, earning a 6-3, 6-3 win against the rival who was yet to find his best tennis against the world's leading figure.
Their next clash came three years later in the desert, and Mardy was ready to turn the tide and beat Roger for the first time. The American produced one of his best matches ever to notch a 6-3, 6-2 victory in 64 minutes, losing 13 points in nine service games and repelling the only break chance offered to Roger to keep the pressure on the other side.
Standing miles from his usual performance against Fish, Federer struggled on both the first and second serve, never finding the rhythm and suffering three breaks to propel the home player into the final against Novak Djokovic.
In 2010, Federer and Fish met in the Cincinnati final and made it memorable. After a titanic battle, the Swiss prevailed 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, getting back on the winning course against the American and earning two more wins at the ATP Finals 2011 and Cincinnati 2012 to close head-to-head meetings with eight victories and one defeat.
They were supposed to play in the fourth round of the US Open that year, but Fish had to withdraw due to "precautionary measures" on the doctor's advice, finishing his career at the same event three years later.