John Isner downs Malek Jaziri in the second round – London Olympics
American number one, John Isner, defeated the world number 79, Malek Jaziri of Tunisia, in straight sets 7-6(1), 6-2 in the round of 32 at the London Olympics on Monday. The 10th seed took only one hour and 25 minutes
to throw his opponent out of the contest.
Isner was under pressure on his serve straightaway, getting down 15-40 but he used his big deliveries to win four points in a row and move ahead 1-0. In the every next game, Jaziri faced a break point but he also put it away to
hold his serve and even out the proceedings at 1-1. The Tunisian was under threat again in the 10th and 12th but he managed to escape, levelling the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. However, Isner humiliated his opponent after
that, as he allowed him to claim only one point, closing it 7-6(1).
After winning a tough first set, Isner came attacking in the second, stinging breaks in the first and third game to race to a 4-0 lead. The American contender did not drop any of his own serves, capturing it 6-2.
The 6ft 9in tall fully utilised his most lethal weapon, the first serves, to bombard a total of 15 aces on Jaziri in the match. The Florida, USA resident played brilliantly at the net, converting nine of the 12 volleys into cracking
winners. Isner also ruled with the help of his huge ground strokes, banging 27 winners. On the other hand, Jaziri was erratic, as he made 15 unforced errors.
Isner was playing on one of the two show courts of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Sharing his experience, the American player said, “[It was] the first time I played on a show court here. I have never played on Centre
Court; I have never played on Court One. I like that court a lot, the atmosphere is great. It’s special. When I first entered the court, I didn’t know whether to go right or left. I had to ask someone. I wouldn’t mind playing on that court in my next match.”
The 27-year-old will meet the seventh seeded Serbian, Janko Tipsarevic in the third round. Tipsarevic beat Philipp Petzschner of Germany in three sets in the round of 32.
Tipsarevic thanked his Serbian fans by saying, “One of the reasons why I won today was because of the crowd. I am very grateful for the Serbian fans, they did not disappoint me.”
Isner had lost the only previous meeting between these two on the ATP World Tour.
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