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.
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.”
“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.
Topics: Atp World Tour, Citi Open, John Isner, Sports, Steve Johnson, Tennis News, Washington D.C.
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