Unseeded Fish sinks in first round in Miami

MARDY Fish's recent run of form came to an abrupt halt as the unseeded American went out in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami to Frenchman Arnaud Clement.

Fish beat three top-ten players, including world No1 Roger Federer, on his way to the final at Indian Wells last week but Clement had few problems with the 26-year-old, whom he dispatched 6-3 6-3.

Marat Safin's dismal season continued as the former world No1 lost 7-6 (7/3) 4-6 7-6 (7/5) to American Bobby Reynolds.

Gael Monfils of France came from a set down to defeat American wildcard John Isner 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 6-3 to book a second-round meeting with top seed Federer.

Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama secured her place in the second round of the women's event with a straight-sets victory over Russian wild card Anastasia Pivovarova.