Isner defeats Muller in Atlanta Tennis Championship
It required a mammoth effort from American John Isner to defeat Giles Muller in the second round of the Atlanta Championships in Georgia. Isner needed 33 aces and two and half hours to oust Muller of Luxembourg in three sets.
American John Isner, who previously changed the history books with a record-breaking longest tennis match in Wimbledon’s first round, was tested by Muller in the Georgia. This was the American’s first victory since making history at Wimbledon. Marathon man defeated hard-working Muller in three sets with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) and 7-6(9-7). With this win, he lifted his final set tie-breaker record to 16-5.
Muller, who is ranked 206, produced an inspiring performance as he took the match to three sets. It was a miraculous performance for a player who missed the last half of 2009 due to injury. Additionally, this was his second event at the ATP level after Queen’s championship in U.K. last month. The Luxembourgian fired 29 aces in the match. 27-year-old Muller twice went close to sealing the match but his match points were annulled. On the other hand, Isner was forced to serve his way out of danger and he converted his second match point on the way.
Isner, who is seeded 2nd for the tournament, showed iron resilience when he won the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon. The score of the fifth set was 70-68 in a match in which he eliminated French Nicolas Mahut. Both of these players have lost the label of anonymity forever after the 11-hour epic match, which took 3 days to complete.
Muller started the match confidently as he broke the American in the first set. Muller held his serve in the remaining games to seal the opening set. Isner, who is a specialist of tie-breaks, took the second set to a tie-break when he broke Muller to level things up. The third set was as entertaining as the first two as both produced ardent efforts and gave nothing to their competitors. This set also needed a tie-break to conclude, where Isner excelled as expected. After this victory, Isner has sealed his place in last eight of the Atlanta Championships.
Meanwhile, Isner’s compatriot, Taylor Dent reached his first quarter-final in half a decade. It required a gallant effort from Dent as he battled back into the match against 4th seed Horacio Zeballos. Dent defeated the Argentinean Zeballos with the score of 4-6, 6-2 and 6-0. Dent’s last progression into quarters was back in 2005, when he reached the last eight of ATP Championship in Tokyo. However, he failed to progress further as he lost to Finn Jarkko Niemini.
This time, 29 year-old Dent was determined not to repeat history as he showed determination as well as chivalry. 94th ranked Dent is slowly rebuilding his career, which had been hampered by a back injury which he sustained a few seasons ago. Dent, who won a total of four titles in his career, needed some luck as he survived 9 double-faults to win the match. It took 90-minutes for Dent to oust Houston semi-finalist Zeballos. He also avenged his defeat of their last meeting from the hands of the South American.
Zeballos seized the initiative early in the match as he broke the American to take the opening set. But, Dent fought back as he dominated the proceeding onwards and won the remaining two sets convincingly to book his place in last eight.
Similarly, 6th seed and another American Mardy Fish also reached the quarter-finals when he defeated fellow compatriot Robby Ginepri in straight sets. Mardy dominated the proceedings from the start as he settled the match with the score of 6-1 and 7-5. Similarly, Michael Russell defeated Rainer Schuettler to reach the last eight. It required three sets from American Russell to defeat veteran Schuettler. Despite losing the opening set, he fought back to show his fortitude and grit. Russell finally prevailed as he won the match with the score of 1-6, 6-2 and 7-5.
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