Top seed Fish rallies to win Delray Beach event

American Mardy Fish rallied to beat Evgeny Korolev 7-5, 6-3 Sunday, becoming the first top seed to win the ATP Delray Beach International Championship in the 17-year history of the event.

Fish also became the first American to win it since 2003, when journeyman Jan-Michael Gambill beat Fish in the final.

Fish had not won a title since claiming the Houston tournament in April of 2006 on clay.

"Conditions were tough," Fish said. "Today kind of reminded me almost of a first-round match at an event that you'd like to do well at. You literally just want to get off the court with the 'W' - you couldn't care less how it looks.

"Obviously it didn't feel like a first-round match, but it felt like the latter part. I don't care what the score is. I don't care how it looks. I need to get off this court with the win."

Fish got off to a shaky start in his 13th career appearance in an ATP final, dropping a pair of early breaks before going back up a break to win the first set, which was delayed nearly two hours due to rain.

Fish finished the 92-minute match with six aces and four breaks.

Korolev, a Russian qualifier and the cousin of retired tennis pin-up Anna Kournikova, was seeking his first ATP title. Korolev had no qualms about the result.

"I played the whole week well from the qualies on," he said.

"I'm happy. I will keep on going, keep on working, and hopefully I can make some more finals."









Children play on top of rocky desert cliffs at sunset. AP Photo/Hasan Jamali