JOHN ISNER IS THE LAST AMERICAN TENNIS PLAYER LEFT STANDING (ALL 6’10” OF HIM), AUSSIE HOPES COME DOWN TO BERNIE TOMIC BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 23rd January 2016

JOHN ISNER IS THE LAST AMERICAN TENNIS PLAYER LEFT STANDING (ALL 6'10" OF HIM), AUSSIE HOPES COME DOWN TO BERNIE TOMIC BY RICKY DIMON

epa05114839 John Isner of the US in action against Marcel Granollers of Spain during their second round match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016. EPA/DAVID CROSLING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

And then there was one.

John Isner found himself in a familiar position after play at the Australian Open concluded on Saturday, and not just because he was in the fourth round for the second time in his career. Isner, not surprisingly, is now the last American man remaining in the field. That turned about to be the case after Isner’s 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-4 triumph was followed by Steve Johnson’s straight-set loss to David Ferrer.

Isner had lost to Lopez in a five-set struggle at the same stage of this same event back in 2012. For a while, more of the same seemed to be in store for this one. Each of the first two sets progressed to tiebreakers, with the Spaniard taking the opener despite double-faulting at 6-5 in the ‘breaker. Lopez had a chance to go up by two sets, but Isner fought back from a mini-break down in the second one to steal it seven points to five.

From there it was one-way traffic for the world No. 11. Isner broke Lopez twice in the third set and once in the fourth while never even facing a break point on his own serve.

“It’s a big win,” the former University of Georgia star assured. “It’s a very tough opponent, especially for me, the way he plays. It certainly has given me trouble before in the past. Also been a little while since I’ve been in the round of 16 at this tournament (2010). It feels great. I’m very relieved to get through.”

Bernard Tomic of Australia returns the ball to Simone Bolelli of Italy during their second round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016. EPA/LUKAS COCH

Only one man remains for the host nation, as well. Nick Kyrgios crashed out of the tournament at the hands of Tomas Berdych on Friday, but Bernard Tomic picked up the slack one day later. Of course, an Aussie was always going to advance out of Tomic’s match–because he faced compatriot John Millman. The 16th seed ended the run of his underdog opponent with a 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory.

“I’m very, very pleased and very happy with the way I (have) played so far in this tournament,” Tomic commented. “Today was a very tough match to be part of; very physical out there. John was making a lot of balls.”

Next up for the 23-year-old is Andy Murray, who held off Joao Sousa in four sets.

“Playing Andy now is amazing opportunity,” Tomic added. “(He’s) one of the best players in the world. (I) have to go out there with nothing to lose and play the right tennis like I’ve been playing in the last month.”