French Open: Is Mardy Fish America's Best Hope in France?

Mardy Fish is the top-seeded American at the 2011 French Open. He is seeded 10th and is the most experienced U.S. tennis player competing at Roland Garros.

What about Andy Roddick you ask? He withdrew from this year's French Open after a shoulder injury he suffered at the Italian Open. He is hoping to be able to play at Wimbledon later in June.

So that leaves Mardy Fish as the most experienced American playing on the clay and chalk this year. There is a lot of hope that his fitness, skill and determination will allow him to extend his stay.

Does he have the right set of skills to contend in Paris?

Fish began his bid for the elusive French title Monday by beating Ricardo Mello of Brazil. He now moves forward to the second round, but will his experience pay off? Fish has never made it past the second round at the French Open.

There are some positives Mardy Fish can draw upon regarding having to work on clay.

He grew up playing on clay courts often as a young player. He has also won on clay before and in 2006, he won the US Men's Clay Court Championships.

Fish is also more fit since losing 30 pounds in 2010. He has been following a strict fitness regime and as a result, has increased his speed and agility around the court significantly.

Beside his fitness, Mardy has his big first serve to rely on. He is also no stranger to the net and unlike some American players, Fish is not afraid to come in and play at the net. His success as a doubles player has given him the confidence to play from the baseline or the net, making him a more versatile player.

Despite his record at the French Open, Mardy Fish has the right tools and experience to help him succeed at Roland Garros. He will need to believe with confidence that he is a player who can use all the talents in his arsenal to play his game and to conquer on clay.