John Isner topples Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to reach title-round – Winston-Salem Open 2012
American number one, John Isner, got the better of the top seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in a three-set thriller at the Winston-Salem Open 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) victory against the French veteran to book a spot in the final showdown at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in North Carolina, United States.
The third seed prevailed in the final set tie-breaker to grab the victory in two hours and 12 minutes against the world number six. After earning the glory, the American improved to a 3-1 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series against Tsonga and powered into the final round. He defended his title at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport in July and is looking forward to defend his title at this hard court event.
“I’m very, very happy to be back in the final,” said Isner. “I don’t like getting to Grand Slams early. If I’m playing the week before, I want to do as well as I can. I’m playing the final match, so I’m very satisfied with that. I’m looking to defend my title. I did it this year in Newport, so maybe I can pull it off again.”
Isner stepped into the Wake Forest University in high spirits. He warded off the only breakpoint he came across to keep his entire serves. The American cashed in the lone break chance in the fifth game to get the breakthrough, eventually sealing the opener with a 6-4 win.
The Swiss resident rebounded in the follow-up set. Through his amazing defensive skills, Tsonga blocked all four breakpoints he faced to keep his entire serves. He capitalised on one out of two break opportunities in the eighth game to pull out the equaliser with a 6-3 score line.
Ranked 10th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Isner got back in action in the third set. He easily kept his entire serves without facing any hindrance but squandered all five break chances, subsequently dragging the set to a tie-breaker. The American leaped to a 4-1 lead in it before closing out the decider with a 7-6(3) success.
Summing up Isner’s performance at this Emirates Airline US Open Series event, the American fired 24 aces and produced a better first serve share. He also spectacularly clicked 50 out of 61 points on it and finished the match with 102 points.
Isner will face off the second seed, Tomas Berdych, in the title-round. The Czech number one topped seventh seeded Sam Querrey in straight sets to progress.
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