Fish cruises to first round Atlanta win

Johns Creek, Georgia : Sixth-seeded Mardy Fish of the United States beat James Ward of Great Britain 6-1, 6-2 on Monday in the first round of the Atlanta Tennis Championships.

No. 8 seed Benjamin Becker of Germany was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Michael Russell, who at 32 is the oldest American ranked in the ATP top 100 world rankings.

Fish earned his fourth career title _ and his first on grass _ July 10 at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island. Winning the tournament moved Fish's world ranking up 30 spots to 49th.

After taking a couple of days to rest, Fish practiced late last week on hardcourts for the first time since March. He won 21 of his 25 potential points on first serve.

In other singles matches, Rainer Schuettler of Germany beat Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-1, 6-4. Illya Marchenko of Ukraine defeated Belgium's Kristof Vliegen 6-4, 7-6 (4), and American Rajeev Ram held off Karol Beck of Slovaki 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Atlanta is hosting its first ATP event since 2001 and the tour's first North American summer event on hardcourts as players prepare for the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 30.

Top seed Andy Roddick, No. 2 seed John Isner, No. 3 Lleyton Hewitt and fourth seed Horacio Zeballos of Argentina will play their first singles matches later in the week.