John Isner crashes out to Philipp Kohlschreiber in round three – US Open 2012
Local top ranked star, John Isner, was underplayed by the 19th seed, Philipp Kohlschreiber, in marathon five sets at the Flushing Meadows 2012 on Sunday. He suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 shock at the hands of the German number one in the
third round at this major hard court event held in New York City, United states.
Seeded ninth in this event, Isner made a dismal start at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He managed to take lead after bagging the following two sets but stepped off steam again. The American gifted away the last two sets and ultimately
exited from the round of 32.
"It's disappointing," the disheartened American stated in a post match press conference. “I didn't play the right way, and that's been the story when I've lost at Slams. I just played too passively and it doesn't work out when I do that. I felt like the
match was in my hands at one point there in the fourth set, and I let it get away.”
The world number 20, Kohlschreiber made a strong entry at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. He smoothly swiped his entire serves without facing any barrier. The German required a single break opportunity in the seventh game to get the breakthrough and seal the opener
with a 6-4 win.
Isner made a fitting reply in the follow-up set and bagged his entire serves without facing any barrier. He capitalised on one out of four break chances in the sixth game and clinched the set with a 6-3 score line.
Ranked 10th in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings, Isner carried his momentum in the third set. He was again never challenged with any breakpoint and availed one out of three break opportunities
in the ninth game to register a 6-4 success.
Kohlschreiber get back in action in the proceeding set. He brilliantly brushed off both breakpoints he came across to keep his entire serves. The German cashed in the lone break opportunity in the eighth game and pulled out the equaliser with a 6-3 score
line.
The match was poised at a knife edge but the highest seeded American failed to seek his momentum. He gifted away his opening serve after failing to save the only break chance he came across. Isner held his remaining serves but failed to recover after squandering
both break chances. As a result, he endured a 4-6 shock and exited the tournament with disappointment.
The 28-year-old on the other side advanced to face the eighth seed, Janko Tipsarevic.
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