John Isner vs Gilles Simon – Match Preview: US Open 2011
Kicking off with the quarter-final round of the US Open 2011 on Tuesday, 6th September, will be the match between the local lad John Isner and the French international, Gilles Simon. Prior to their match, Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had made it through into the last 8.
Being played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center DecoTurf, the US Open is closing up with all of the top players in the round of 8.
John Isner, 26, has been marvellous throughout the season. However, the American considers this season as his best so far. Winning 2 titles and working up the ranking with a 6 places jump in a week’s change has certainly satisfied the former world No.18.
Statistically, the American world No.22 has a strong 8 straight matches winning streak on the move. Beating Julien Benneteau in the final of Winston-Salem Open last month gave the gigantic tennis player much positive energy and confidence.
Considering the playing style of the huge 6’9” American, his strong and bullet serves are his key factor for winning easy points. Isner uses his height to his advantage in combination with his strong right hand. Known for his comebacks in the game, the American often goes for one-two points on serve. Though he does not follow the serve-and-volley technique, he still manages to cover the court considerably well.
Simon, on the other hand, has an equal winning average as the American giant. Winning 2 titles this season, the 26-year-old has a 33-19 win loss record in 2011. Lately the Frenchman has been performing well on hard circuits. Out of the last 10 matches he played, Simon managed to win 8 out of them.
Considering his playing technique, the Frenchman is known for his speed, agility and mental strength. Simon is also acknowledged as a great performer as he mesmerizes the crowd with stunning down-the-line and cross court game.
The 26-year-old is also a premeditated competitor capable of shifting his hit point on either side, keeping the ball on his strings until the very last moment, and then unexpectedly captivating the ball before time with random injection of pace, keeping his challenger off-balance. Simone is widely classed as a counter-puncher as he oftens control the points.
Considering the fact that the two have never played against each other, it is too early to predict a win for either of them. However, if Isner keeps his nerve and counters the Frenchman with equal strength, he might as well take away the match and make his way into the quarterfinals.
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