Houston: Friday Results, Saturday Schedule

Written by: Staff on 9th April 2011

Houston: Friday Results, Saturday Schedule

Kei Nishikori (JPN) |

RESULTS – FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011
Singles Quarterfinal Round
[6] Kei Nishikori (JPN) d [1] Mardy Fish (USA) 63 62
[WC] Ryan Sweeting (USA) d Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 36 63 61
[Q] Ivo Karlovic (CRO) d [4] John Isner (USA) 76(2) 67(2) 76(9)
[7] Pablo Cuevas (URU) d [3] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 16 76(4) 63

Doubles Quarterfinal
[1] Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) d Pablo Cuevas (URU) / Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 75 61
John Isner (USA) / Sam Querrey (USA) d [2] Eric Butorac (USA) / Jean-Julien Rojer (AHO) 64 63

ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2011
STADIUM start 1:00 PM
[WC] Ryan Sweeting (USA) vs [Q] Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
[7] Pablo Cuevas (URU) vs (6) Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Not Before 6:00 PM
[1] Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) vs John Isner (USA) / Sam Querrey (USA)

NOTES
– The Karlovic-Isner match is just the fourth at this tournament since the implementation of the third set tie-break in 1988 to have all three sets decided by a tie-break. The last one came in 2010 when Xavier Malisse defeated Isner.
– Isner actually won more points in the match, 129-122.
– Karlovic fired 24 aces in the match, tying the tournament record set by Isner in 2009 against Paul Capdeville. Isner had 23 aces on Friday.
– Karlovic is on a 10 match winning streak in Houston, having won four matches en route to the title in 2007, three matches in qualifying this year and now three main draw matches.
– Karlovic has fired 44 aces in the main draw this week, putting him 16 shy of the tournament record of 60 set by Pete Sampras in 2002. He had 50 aces in qualifying.
– Karlovic is looking to be the first qualifier to reach the final since Mariano Zabaleta in 2007. Ironically, Zabaleta lost to Karlovic that year.
– Sweeting, the 2005 US Open Junior Champion, has reached his first career ATP semifinal.
– Fish was playing his first tournament as the No. 1 ranked American. Fish, who won the Houston title in 2006, is a career high No. 11 in the ATP World Tour rankings this week.
– Fish won the Houston title in 2006.
– Japan’s Nishikori is involved with two efforts to help with the earthquake and tsunami relief in his home country. The two projects are an online auction of tennis memorbilia and experiences and through donations to the Red Cross on his Facebook page.
– Nishikori will be playing in his second career semifinal.
– Cuevas is a former French Open doubles champion, having won that title in 2008 with Luis Horna. Is through to his fifth career semifinal, but is looking to reach his first career final.
– The Bryans are playing for their fourth career title in Houston and their 68th title overall. Last summer they set a new team record, surpassing the hall of fame team of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.
– The Bryans have won 15 straight matches in Houston.
– Querrey and Isner, nicknamed “Quisner” as a doubles tandem, are in their third career final, and own one title.
– The Bryans own a 4-0 head-to-head record over the Bryans.