John Isner blows off Feliciano Lopez in third round melee – BNP Paribas Masters 2011
One of the most exciting matche of the day, Thursday, 10th of November, initiated between the American giant, John Isner, world No.25, and the veteran Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez, world No.21, as the two played their third
round fixture of BNP Paribas Masters 2011 at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France. Surprisingly, the American ousted his Spanish rival in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, taking no more than an hour and 12 minutes to finish off.
Battling out for the first time, Isner surely had an advantage of his height and super accurate first serves. Secondly, Isner has been in a better form this season. Jumping down rankings and winning titles, the American 26-year-old
had things working for him.
With the two walking down the hard indoor court, both players warmed up followed by the service toss. Winning the toss, Isner kicked off the fixture serving first. With a perfect start, the 26-year-old won his opening serve with
a double game point winner and rolled down his side of the score board, 1-0.
Lopez, on the other hand, did win his opening serve, game two, however, nearly broke down, 1-1. Continuing to bag games on respective serves the two evened up at 2-2, 3-3 and then on 4-4 before the American capitalized. Serving
out game nine, 5-4, Isner blew away the Spaniard in game ten breaking him down and winning the set 6-4.
Isner, progressing with the second set, served first again, however, had a tough time bagging the first time, 1-0. Lopez, gaining back his momentum, bombed a double game point winner to level up the scores at 1-1. Isner replied
with a triple game point winner before the world No.25 made his move.
With scores at 2-1, Isner broke the higher ranked Spaniard in game four, 3-1, and followed with a service winner to lead the set, 4-1. Cutting down the lead, Lopez finally pulled off his second winner, game six, 4-2, however, was
unable to break back and even up any soon.
With just two more games left to conclude the fixture, Isner went spectacular as he served out game seven, 5-2, and broke the world No.21 for the second time in the set to finish off with set 6-2, and the match in straight sets.
Although the Spaniard had a better prior ten match run, he still could not take on the gigantic 26-year-old. Isner, moving on to the quarter-final round of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, will now go on against another Spaniard,
world No.5 and the fourth seed, David Ferrer to battle out the semis spot.
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