BB&T ATLANTA OPEN – Atlanta, USA

Written by: Staff on 27th July 2013

BB&T Atlanta Open men's tennis tournament in Atlanta, Georgia

BB&T ATLANTA OPEN - Atlanta, USA

epa03804462 John Isner of the US celebrates defeating Lleyton Hewitt of Australia during their semi final match at the BB&T Atlanta Open men's tennis tournament at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 27 July 2013. Isner defeated Hewitt in a three set tie breaker. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

ISNER DEFEATS HEWITT

Only one tiebreak in a John Isner match seems like an anomaly. But, when it came, the former Georgia Bulldog found his big serve and a sweet touch at the net. Isner moved into his third final in four years at the BB&T Atlanta Open by getting revenge for a recent loss to Lleyton Hewitt on grass and coming with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5(5) victory.

Isner quotes

“I know Lleyton is going to keep making balls. He’s a fantastic returner. … like Novak Djokovic. He anticipates so well. He’s one of those guys who stand on the baseline and just absorbs 140-mph serves from me. If I didn’t hit my spot exactly, it’s coming back.”

“I don’t mind being in a tiebreak but I would rather not be in a tiebreak. I’m not going to shy away from it. I got up two minibreaks,” which helped him get off to a good start.

ANDERSON DEFEATS HARRISON

With his first straight-set victory of the 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open, No. 2 seed Kevin Anderson now finds himself just one win away from his third career ATP title. The South African defeated Ryan Harrison 6-3, 7-6(3) on Saturday night to advance to the finals, where he will meet top-seeded John Isner for the ninth time in his career.

Anderson quotes

“A couple of times in the second set, I took a comeback and set a couple break points. But I felt I was serving well. I played a couple loose points to get to 15-40, so I knew if I just buckled down and played a couple good points, I was going to have a good chance of getting back in the game. And I did a good job not thinking about if I lost this set, or why am I in this position.”

About playing Isner: “It’s been quite a few years, and we both turned pro at the same time. He’s had a lot of success, and he’s pushed me to work harder as well”

BB&T ATLANTA OPEN – ATLANTA, USA

$ 623,730.00

JULY 20 – JULY 28, 2013

RESULTS – JULY 27, 2013

Men’s

Singles – Semifinals

[1] J Isner (USA) d [7] L Hewitt (AUS) 64 46 76(5)

[2] K Anderson (RSA) d R Harrison (USA) 63 76(3)

Men’s

Doubles – Semifinals

[3] C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) d C Guccione (AUS) / L Hewitt (AUS) 64 76(6)

[4] E Roger-Vasselin (FRA) / I Sijsling (NED) d [PR] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) 36 61 10-7