John Isner rallied past Jack Sock to reach quarters – US Men’s Clay Court Championships 2013
In an all-American affair, John Isner outlasted his wild card compatriot, Jack Sock, in a three-set mouth-watering match at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships 2013 on Thursday. He summed up a 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-6(3) victory against his fellow citizen to secure
a place in the quarter-finals at this outdoor clay court tournament held in Houston, Texas.
Last year’s runner-up, Isner stayed on track at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 Series event. The contestants previously battled each other in Atlanta last circuit and after notching this victory, the seed improved to a 2-0
lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series against Sock.
“I’m sort of a streaky player. I play very well for a month-and-a-half stretch, and there will be some stretches where I don’t play so well and I get down in my confidence a little,” said the high flying American after clinching the match in two hours and
29 minutes on a courtside interview. “Matches like my first one and this one today are ones that go a long way for me.”
Seeded fifth in this event, Isner made a convincing entry in this match. He held his entire serves with poise and capitalised on a break opportunity in the end to seal the opener with a 7-5 win.
Sock re-focused in the proceeding set. He managed to ward off both breakpoints he came across and took the set to a tie-breaker. The wild card enterer ruled in it and eventually grabbed the equaliser with a 7-6(3) success.
Both Americans lifted their game in the deciding set. They showed brilliant defensive skills and subsequently took the set to another tie-breaker. Isner however held his composure this time. After the points were levelled at 3-3, the seeded American went
berserk and eventually grabbed the decider with a 7-6(3) score line.
Next in queue for Isner is the Lithuanian challenger, Ricardas Berankis. The 22-year-old stunned second seeded Tommy Haas in straight sets to set-up this epic battle.
The top seed, Nicolas Almagro, will accompany Isner in the proceeding round. He bounced back to record a 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory against France’s Gael Monfils to advance.
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