John Isner prevails over Juan Monaco to advance to the last 16 – BNP Paribas Open 2012
American number two, John Isner, ousted 22nd seed, Juan Monaco of Argentina, in straight sets 7-5, 7-5 in the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA on Monday. It took the 11th seed two hours
and three minutes to undo Monaco.
Isner and Monaco held their serves in the first 11 games of the opener, taking the score to 6-5 in favour of the American. Serving to take the set to a tie-breaker, the Argentinean managed to win just two points in the 12th
game and lost it 5-7.
The American hit four aces and 76 percent of the first serves, winning 21 of the 25 points on them in the first set. Monaco’s first delivery percentage was better, as he hit 85 but the Argentinean failed to save the only break
point he faced in the opener.
Second set followed the same pattern. Both players did not allow each other to make a breakthrough in the first 11 games. Although, Monaco faced threat in all five of his serves. On the other hand, Isner was not facing any difficulties
on holding his own. The American, finally, struck in the 12th game to capture it 7-5.
Isner made full use of the best weapon in his arsenal. The 6ft 9in tall bombarded Monaco with six aces and grabbed 17 of the 21 first and eight of the 11 second delivery points. In comparison, the Argentinean gave a decent first
serve performance but his second ones let him down. He committed three double faults and converted just eight of the second deliveries into points.
Isner expressed, after the match, “I played a good game at 6-5. The second set I felt like I was in all of his service games. It finally paid off for me at the end.”
He will take on Matthew Ebden of Australian in the fourth round. The qualifier upset top American Mardy Fish in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the previous match.
Ebden is determined to make another upset. The Australian said, after surprising Fish, “Especially in America, to beat the top player here is an incredible feeling. Very big win. I'm pleased with my progress, and got another big
American next round. I'm just loving what I'm doing out here. I really love competing hard and tackling the opportunity. I’ll do that again. I will look forward to the next one.”
Isner and Ebden will be meeting each other for the first time on the ATP World Tour.
Tags: