John Isner dismisses Milos Raonic to enter semis – Rogers Cup 2012
American number one, John Isner, got the better of the 16th seed, Milos Raonic, in front of a pessimist crowd at the Rogers Cup 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 7-6(9), 6-4 victory against the Canadian number one to power into the semi-finals at
this outdoor hard court tournament held in Rexall Centre in Toronto.
After triumphing over 12th seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber in the morning session, Isner carried his rhythm and dumped the 21-year-old in one hour and 31 minutes. Battling each other for the first time, the American edged in the FedEx ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series by 1-0 against the world number 24 and booked a spot in the final four at this Emirates Airline US Open Series event.
The eighth seed made a sloppy entry at this ATP Masters 1000 series. He suffered the first blow in the fifth game and subsequently fell at 2-4. However, Isner not only snatched his break back in the eighth game but remained calm to drag the set to a tie-breaker.
He prevailed in it to clinch the opener with a 7-6(9) score line.
Ranked 11th in the world, Isner improved his game in the following set. He swiftly bagged his entire serves without encountering any hindrance. The American got the breakthrough in the seventh game, eventually sealing the set by winning six games
to four.
Isner withstood 13 aces to overpower the home favourite. He clobbered an equal first serve share of 68 per cent but exceptionally clicked 43 out of 47 points on it. The American failed to block the lone breakpoint he came across but converted two out of
six break chances to his advantage.
Up next for Isner is the 14th seed, Richard Gasquet, who upset America’s Mardy Fish in a three-set thriller to secure this spot. The Frenchman ousted the 11th seed after capitalising on six out of 15 break chances. He also fired 10
aces and needed two hours and seven minutes to formulate a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 score line. Gasquet manipulated a better first serve share and amazingly clicked 35 out of 46 points on it.
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