Los Angeles  - American Mardy Fish produced a career-best Los Angeles Classic showing on Friday, reaching the hardcourt semi-finals 6-4, 6-4 over Frenchman Florent Serra.

The Midwestern winner is on his way to becoming a West Coast transplant as he prepares to marry a local television model who trained as an attorney.

The 26-year-old will shift his base from Florida at least part- time and has purchased property in the LA area.

"Happiness off court translates to a clear mind on court - and that's the case for me," said Fish, who last won three straight matches in March, in the desert at Indian Wells.

Fish, ranked 43rd, fired eight aces and lost his serve only once as he dominated against Serra, the number 75 who played a clay semi- final last spring.

"It's great to do well again," said Fish, 22-17 in 2008. "The weather was perfect, it was a pretty clean match."

Fish will face off on Saturday against either Argentine teenager Juan del Potro, seeded third, or Amer Delic. Del Potro has won 12 of his last 13 matches. "If it's Del Potro, I hope I can end his streak," said Fish.

Top seed Andy Roddick was hoping to continue a comeback after neck spasms last week, facing France's Marc Gicquel in a quarter-final. (dpa)