ISNER, JOHNSON PUT ON SHOW IN ALL-AMERICAN SEMIFINAL IN NATION’S CAPITAL BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: on 8th August 2015
unnamed-135
ISNER, JOHNSON PUT ON SHOW IN ALL-AMERICAN SEMIFINAL IN NATION'S CAPITAL BY RICKY DIMON

Steve Johnson of the USA returns a shot from John Isner of the USA during their semifinals match of the Citi Open tennis tournament, at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington, DC, USA, 08 August 2015. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS  |

Ricky Dimon reports from The Tennis In Washington D.C. John Isner, Stevie Johnson put on show in all-American semifinal in nation’s capital

 

As Denis Kudla wrote on Twitter after the match, “American tennis should be proud of that one.”

 

Yes it should. John Isner and Steve Johnson battled for one hour and 55 minutes and traded match-point saves in a thrilling Citi Open semifinal on Saturday night that was finally won by Isner 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(9).

 

Each of the first two sets was decided by a single service break, setting the stage for a dramatic third. Neither man faced a break point on the way to a seemingly inevitable conclusion–the same conclusion, in fact, that was required when these two former college stars collided at this same event last summer: a final-set tiebreaker.

 

Steve Johnson of the USA reacts after winning a point against John Isner of the USA during their semifinals match of the Citi Open tennis tournament, at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington, DC, USA, 08 August 2015. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Johnson came out on top of that matchup 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(6) and for a while it looked like the underdog would survive once again. He twice led by a mini-break near the finish line, including at 6-4 with two match points. Isner saved the first one on his opponent’s serve after a 17-shot rally. He erased the second in more expected fashion, blasting a 141 MPH ace in the corner.

 

After Johnson fought off a match point at 6-7, Isner fired a 139 MPH ace to make for yet another deadlock at 8-8. The decisive moment finally came at 9-9, when the 6’10” American sank his teeth into a return point with a slice backhand approach. Johnson’s pass attempt could not find its mark and Isner swatted away an authoritative volley. One more rifled service winner and it was all over.

 

“The atmosphere here certainly matched that of my match against (Gael) Monfils…gosh…eight years ago now,” Isner reflected on 2007, when he won five straight contests in third-set tiebreakers to reach the final. “It was incredible. The crowd was into it; they were pulling for both of us.”

 

If they wanted both players to account themselves well, the fans got exactly what they came to see. How good was it? Well, Isner more than doubled his winners to errors (50 to 21). Johnson committed a mere nine unforced errors and still lost.

 

“He’s an unbelievable competitor and he competed great tonight,” Isner said of his good friend. “That’s for sure.”

John Isner of the USA returns a shot from Steve Johnson of the USA during their semifinals match of the Citi Open tennis tournament, at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington, DC, USA, 08 August 2015. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m very proud (of the week),” Johnson assured. “It’s my first 500 semifinal. I’ll tell you what: I’m a little heartbroken after that match…but I did nothing wrong. I tip my hat to him.”

 

The two-time NCAA champion will hope to maintain his momentum next week in Montreal. As for Isner, the two-time Washington, D.C. runner-up will look for his first title at this tournament against Kei Nishikori on Sunday afternoon.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: , , , , , ,








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 thumbnail

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 thumbnail

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 thumbnail

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 thumbnail

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 thumbnail

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.