John Isner prevails over Ryan Sweeting in the quarter-final – US Men’s Clay Court Championship 2012
Second seed, John Isner of USA, needed two tie-breakers to beat countryman, Ryan Sweeting, in straight sets 7-6(1), 7-6(4) in the quarter-final at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston on Friday.
The home favourite, Isner, took an hour and 44 minutes to topple the world number 143.
Isner and Sweeting failed to break each other during the entire first set, taking the score to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The higher ranked American raised the level of his game and raced to a 6-0 lead. Sweeting succeeded in
claiming one point but nothing more than that, losing it 6-7(1).
The 6ft 9in tall bombarded six aces and 73 percent of the first serves, pocketing 25 of the 29 points on them. Sweeting fired three aces but also delivered the same number of double faults. He did not give his opponent any chance
to break but failed to utilise any of the three he created for himself in the opener.
Just like the first set, both players held their serve throughout the second, levelling the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. Isner once again dominated it, building a 6-1 lead. Sweeting tried to make a comeback, as
he won three points in a row to reduce the trail to 4-6 but failed in saving the fourth match point, losing it 6-7(4).
Isner did what he is famous for, bombarding his opponent with huge first serves. The American smashed five aces and 71 percent of the first deliveries, grabbing 25 of the 27 points on them. In comparison, Sweeting hit a couple
of aces but just like the previous set, he committed equivalent number of double faults. Isner and Sweeting created three break opportunities but neither of the two managed to capitalise on even a single one of them.
Talking to the media after the match, Isner said, “I’ve always wanted to do well here, so I’m glad I’ve improved on my previous results. But if I want to get to the final and win this tournament, I’m going to have to play better.
Tonight, I don’t think either of us played well. I was just luckier.”
The American number two will play third seed, Feliciano Lopez of Spain, for a place in the title match. Lopez reached the last four, after Carlos Berlocq retired from their clash due to a left calf injury, as he trailed 4-6, 2-2
in the quarter-final.
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