John Isner defeats Michael Russell in Atlanta Tennis Championship Quarters
After struggling in his opening match against Gilles Muller, Isner staged a powerful comeback. He crushed his opponent Michael Russell in the Atlanta Tennis Championships’ quarter final. It was a hot day on the court as the temperature touched 120 degrees by the time the game started. Isner, the 6’ 9” giant was in no mood of letting the game prolong. Playing for the second time against Russell this season, Isner made sure he clinched a straight sets victory against his fellow countryman. Isner faced Russell in Miami when the match entered a deadlock in the third set.
Isner started off the first set with two very impressive aces. He further nailed it with a second serve ace to Russell’s backhand. Isner’s game was in its full form. After the match against Muller, there were doubts about whether he can play at his best game in the tournament. Isner proved those doubts wrong. His game was at its best performance and he didn’t let his opponent get a chance to stand up against him. Winning a whopping 70% on service points and hitting 5 aces, Isner made sure he stays for the semi finals. Russell on the other hand couldn’t hit a single ace in the first set. Isner captured the first set 6-1.
In the second set Isner was extremely good with his serves. Russell was unable to judge the angle of serves from the tall American. Isner took the first game of the second set. After that Russell lost all his confidence and lost to his 2nd seeded countryman. Russell double faulted on 3 serves. After the first four games, Russell tried to take advantage of Isner’s serve angle but Isner was in no mood for that. Russell could only win 2 return points with this strategy. Isner played 6 aces and won 16 serve points to claim his victory. In fifty six minutes, Isner defeated his opponent 6-1, 6-2. This was a little ‘unexpected’ due to his reputation as ‘marathon man’. He is famous for the longest match played in the history of tennis where he defeated Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68 at Wimbledon this June.
Isner was quite unhappy about his ball strikes in his previous match against Muller. He greatly improved in that arena. Giving an interview after the match Isner said that he was more focused on the ball in this match compared to the one against Muller. He was using extremely fine footwork especially with his turns. “Today, the timing on my footwork was much better”, said Isner comparing his footwork in this game to the previous one. Isner will now face South African Kevin Anderson.
Anderson in another quarter final defeated Lukas Lacko 6-3, 6-4. For Anderson this is the second ATP World Tour semi-final. Anderson hitting 10 aces and 42 serve points reserved his seat in the Atlanta Tennis Championships semi final. Anderson playing a very controlled and confident game didn’t give a single break point chance to his opponent. In the first serve Lacko was able to win five points from Anderson. But Anderson was safe after he won some very crucial points off his second serve. Hitting 6 aces Anderson was able to defeat Lacko in a straight set victory of 6-3.
In the second set the South African again claimed his victory after hitting 4 aces and winning 21 service points. This win was quite comfortable for Anderson as his opponent couldn’t match his precision shots. In a match that lasted an hour and sixteen minutes, 14 aces were hit and 4 double faults were committed. Lacko was unable to save either of the 2 break points opportunities he gave.
This was the first consecutive win for Anderson in a week this year. He is now eyeing to enter his second ATP final. His first one was in Las Vegas in 2008 where he finished a runner-up. The second seeded Isner, on the other hand is a tough competitor. If Isner maintains his game, chances of Anderson getting into the final are bleak.
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