“…he’s a fiery kid. I bet that if you asked him if he played better, if he didn’t get fired up, sort of subdued — I think he was a little more subdued in Atlanta, and to be honest, he played a lot better in L.A. when he broke three racquets. Over the years he’ll figure out how to channel that energy, but he’s got a lot energy, a lot of good energy. You know he wants to win if he’s breaking racquets like that. I think that’s a good sign.”

Americans are charging ahead in Washington and Carlsbad.

David Nalbandian opens his Washington title defense against American James Blake.

Serena Williams bids for her first title in over a year in Stanford.

Nalbandian beat Baghdatis in last year’s final; Andy Roddick misses the event with injury, yet to debut on the U.S. summer circuit; returning champs in the field are Nalbandian (2010) and Blake (2002).

Serena Williams crushed Maria Sharapova last night in Stanford.

Women’s tennis heavyweights Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova clash tonight in Stanford.

Lots of retirement talk — not from Andy, but from the pundits. Should emerge at first U.S. summer hardcourt event with a big F-U chip on his shoulder. Needs to find a new coach. But not a new wife.

An exhausted Isner, apparently also suffering abdominal cramps, served in the tiebreak at 6-4 before Fish won four straight points to force the third set. In the third the withering Isner, broken early on serve and out of gas, had no chance.

American Andy Roddick still in seclusion during Week #2 of the US Open Series, not making an appearance since the U.S. Davis Cup debacle vs. Spain…

Mardy Fish gets a first look at Ryan Harrison in Atlanta while Simon and Almagro battle for the Hamburg title on Sunday.

Mardy Fish and John Isner appear headed on an Atlanta collision.

Notes: Interesting openers include (1) Fish vs. the Mahut-Richard Bernakis winner after a bye, (8) Devvarman vs. Ryan Sweeting, Blake vs. Gulbis in a battle of strugglers, (7) Bogomolov vs. Muller, (WC) Haas vs. (WC) Robby Ginepri, and (WC) Donald Young vs. “Iron” Mike Russell (winner to face (2) Anderson); Fish beat Isner in last year’s final.

Sean Randall previews where the the top players will play this summer in North America.

Sweden was doomed without Robin Soderling, who skipped the tie to “rest,” even though that rest ends this week when he plays the ATP event in Bastad.