Tennis Update: Isner fights a brutal battle to reach the final
Kevin Anderson gave American John Isner a tough and brutal challenge in the semi final of the Atlanta Tennis Championship at Johns Creek, Georgia. In the intense heat of Georgia, Isner had to fight Anderson in a fatiguing challenge that was stretched over almost two and a half hours. As the temperature reached 140 degrees, Isner had to play very sensibly conserving energy while giving his best game at the same time. The South African Anderson also knew perfectly how to tackle the heat and fatigue. Isner beat the South African eventually 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 after an intense battle. He saved all the seven break point opportunities to ensure his victory.
Isner, after hitting 7 aces and winning 24 serve points claimed victory in the first set 6-3. It seemed that Isner is putting a lot of effort and energy. With the intense sun shining on the court, Isner was quiet exhausted after the first set. Anderson could hit only 3 aces and could win 14 serve points in the first set. The South African couldn’t convert any of the three break point opportunities presented to him by Isner.
The harsh conditions on the court became less intense, when the cloud came between the sun and the court. Isner himself in an after match interview committed that the heat was exhausting in the first set but thanks to the cloud that the temperature dropped significantly in the second set. This set was perhaps the toughest and the most challenging set of the whole match. Anderson played his best aces and serves and clinched the set 7-6(7). He scored 7 aces and won 30 service points. He won a total of 46 points against Isner’s 42 to win the set. The University of Georgia’s former all-American four times titlist, could’ve won the match in straight sets. As Isner and Anderson played the tie-break of the second set, Isner had the opportunity to score a match point on at 7-6.
When the second set entered the tie break, Isner was trying hard to finish off his opponent. However, perhaps he was trying too hard as he had an excellent opportunity to end the match then and there. In the match point opportunity he had at the tie break, he used his forehand and over played a volley which landed outside the line. On the following serve, he also failed to win the serve point. After that, Anderson served him out the set.
However, mistakes were made by both sides as Anderson missed to convert four set points. First two were when Isner was serving at 5-4 and the other two when the point score was at 6-5. After the second set, Isner took a nine minute break to the locker room. There was no doubt that the fatigue was extreme for both the players. After changing the clothes, Isner definitely looked more fresh and full of energy when he returned for the final set.
The third set was a test of determination for both the players. Both Isner and Anderson hit 4 aces. Isner won 5 return points where Anderson won 6. The tides of the match turned when Anderson double faulted. Immediately after that, Isner converted the single break point opportunity of the set to his advantage. This gave him a solid lead of 5-3. Determined to stop the match from prolonging any further, Isner clinched another game and was victorious. He won the set 6-3.
Anderson’s hope for reaching his second final of ATP World Tour was lost after this defeat. Isner will eye for his career’s second ATP World Tour title after he won his first one in Auckland in January, when he defeated Clement. He lost to Sam Querrey in a final Memphis held in February and was runners-up to the same opponent in Belgrade in May.
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