Nicolas Almagro edges past John Isner in the Davis Cup WG semi-finals – Tennis Special
Spain’s Nicolas Almagro stunned the American number one, John Isner, in marathon five sets at the Davis Cup World Group semi-finals 2012 on Friday. In the first rubber, David Ferrer hit back at Sam Querrey to maintain his unbeaten record in clay courts at Davis Cup. As a result, the host nation now leads 2-0 against United States.
The Spanish star needed four hours and 16 minutes to upset Isner with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory. The players previously encountered each other at the Wimbledon Championships last season and after earning this victory, Almagro not only maintained his winning record in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series against the American but also led his side closer towards the final.
“It was very tough,” Almagro reflected. “I think he served really good. I didn’t feel very comfortable at the court when he was serving. But we are happy because it’s Friday and we’re 2-0 up.”
The American star commented in a courtside interview after losing the match:
“I think I missed three volleys in that last game and I should’ve made all of them. So, maybe, fatigue made those routine shots a little harder. That was really disappointing because I did such a good job the whole fourth and fifth set of just hanging in there and I just kind of gave it away at the end.”
Almagro made a strong entry at the Parque Hermanos Castro in Gijon, Spain. He drew the first blood in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard swiped his remaining serves with poise and clicked the opener with a 6-4 win.
The world number 10 rebounded in the following set. He smoothly plucked his entire serves with conviction and required a single break of serve in the last game to pocket the set with 6-4 success.
Ranked 12th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Almagro dug his way back in game in the third set. He broke the American’s serve in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard maintained consistency in his game plucked remaining serves. As a result, he sealed the set by winning six games to four.
Isner hit back at the Spanish number three in the proceeding set. He quickly pocketed his entire serves without facing much trouble. The American got the breakthrough in the eighth game and clichéd the equaliser with a 6-3 score line.
The match was poised on a knife edge but the 27-year-old Spaniard was the one who stole the show. He fired exquisite forehands from his arsenal of skills to keep his entire serves. Almagro cashed in a break opportunity in the last game and sealed the decider with a 7-5 win.
The home side is now looking to take a 3-0 lead in the doubles rubber and inch closer towards the final showdown. Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez will take on the number one doubles team in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: