John Isner hits back to oust Ruben Bemelmans in round two – BB&T Atlanta Open 2012
Top seed, John Isner, gets the better of the Belgian qualifier, Ruben Bemelmans, in a three-set thriller at the BB&T Atlanta Open 2012 on Thursday. He nudged up a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the world number 125 to secure a place in the quarter-finals at this outdoor hard court tournament taking place at Atlantic Station in Johns Creek, Georgia.
The American star, Isner, stayed on track to bid for his second year-to-date title at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event taking place from 14th July to 22nd July. He is looking forward to lift his first trophy at this tournament after finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish for the past two years.
Bemelmans high-spiritedly entered this outdoor hard court tournament and drew the first blood after cashing in the lone break chance in the third game. He dusted away both breakpoints he encountered to keep his entire serves and sealed the opener by winning six games to four.
The 27-year-old local star on the other hand re-focused in the following set. He cashed in the only break opportunity in the second game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. Isner easily swiped his entire serves and pulled out the equaliser with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 11th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Isner maintained his intensity in the final set and earned the desiderated break in the opening game to take the initial lead. He plucked his entire serves without facing any breakpoint and clicked the decider with a 6-4 success.
All in all, the highest ranked player of the tournament smashed 16 aces to dominate throughout the match. He produced a slightly lower first serve share of 59 per cent as compared to his rival’s 60 per cent and marked 43 out of 51 points on it.
Up next for Isner is his wildcard compatriot, Jack Sock, who tumbled Steve Johnson in straight sets to set up this meeting. Sock failed to capitalise on any break opportunity but dominated in both sets’ tie-breaker to carve out the victory in almost two hours.
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