KRISTEN’S KOURT: Hewitt Halts Isner in Indian Wells By Kristen Tracy

Written by: Staff on 9th March 2013

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Hewitt Halts Isner in Indian Wells By Kristen Tracy

epa03587721 John Isner of the US hits a return against Tommy Haas of Germany during the SAP Open tennis at HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, USA 16 February 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

This time last year, John Isner was beating the world no. 1, cracking the top ten, and becoming the highest ranked American for the first time in his career. Today, the 6-foot-10 Isner didn’t fare so well. Instead of beginning the defense of his epic 2012 run to the final of the BNP Paribas Open, Isner found himself losing 600 rankings points and landing outside the top 20 after Australian Lleyton Hewitt beat him 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4.

It started routinely for Isner, who extended his 2013 undefeated tiebreak record by claiming the first set. But as the match continued on, it became apparent that the knee injury that forced the American to pull out of Australia may not be completely healed after all. Isner has never been the fastest guy on the court, but for a guy his size he’s always been able to maneuver fairly well. But early on in the second set he began to fade – and the Australian began to take full advantage.

Hewitt came out with nothing to lose. At 32, he’s still a fighter. But he’s had five surgeries in the last four years. And anyone who has had to have any kind of surgery knows how difficult it can be to come back from. But for a professional tennis player, who uses almost every muscle and bone when they play, it can be scary and career-ending, but Hewitt still continues to be a contender. And although he may never be able to get back into the top 20 – or even 30 – seeing his name on that draw sheet still makes his opponents nervous.

Hewitt will next face Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat another American Wayne Odesnik to reach the third round. And although he may no longer be in the singles draw, John Isner will pair up once again with Sam Querrey to face Bob and Mike Bryan – who easily began their quest for their first ever BNP Paribas Open title with a 6-2, 7-5 win in the first round.

Follow Kristen on Twitter! @KristensKourt

http://4theloveof10s.wordpress.com

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.