Mardy Fish, is rarely mentioned in reference to Grand Slam success, likely because the 29-year-old has never threatened to unseat any of the favourites at the any of the major events.

However, Fish, who hails from Edina, Minnesota, has demonstrated some ability to challenge for greater things in recent months. The tennis player recorded one of the best finishes of his career earlier this year, by exiting in the quarterfinals at SW19. He also achieved second and third round finishes at the Australian and French Opens, respectively, in 2011.

Fish is currently ranked ninth in the world, yet the bookies are unimpressed with the American; Fish is 100/1 in the 2011 US Open Men's betting.

He needs to focus if he hopes to challenge Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic in New York in August. Fish is a dedicated sportsman, but his enthusiasm for tennis was his undoing at the US Open, last year. Fish exhausted his batteries in both singles and doubles tournaments during summer 2010 and can't afford to do the same again.

While Mardy Fish is perhaps too old to be part of the new generation of tennis players lauded by Djokovic and Sharapova, the American could yet prove a late bloomer, much like female contender, Li Na. Those looking at the tennis betting online should bear this in mind.

The American's forte is almost certainly doubles competition. Fish, who often plays alongside US compatriots Andy Roddick and James Blake, has won eight tournaments with a partner since 2002. His performance on the ATP World Tour 250 has been rather more frustrating. Fish has been a runner-up on twelve occasions in the past decade, winning just five tournaments.