RICKY’S PICKS • ATP TENNIS RESULTS FROM BB&T ATLANTA • JOHN ISNER VS. MATT EBDEN

Written by: Staff on 27th July 2018

RICKY'S PICKS • ATP TENNIS RESULTS FROM BB&T ATLANTA • JOHN ISNER VS. MATT EBDEN

epa06914553 John Isner of the US in action against Mischa Zverev of Germany during a quarterfinal round match of the BB&T Atlanta Open men's tennis tournament at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 27 July 2018. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER |

By Ricky Dimon

John Isner guessed that things might be different going up against Mischa Zverev at the BB&T Atlanta Open instead of at some other tournament around the world.

Isner was absolutely right.

The world No. 9, who compiled an 0-3 against Zverev in 2017 with losses at the Australian Open, Geneva Open, and U.S. Open, gained some revenge by defeating Zverev 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in the quarterfinals of his favorite tournament on Friday. Isner improved to an amazing 29-4 lifetime in Atlanta after one hour and 37 minutes.

A first break for Isner came with Zverev trying to force a tiebreaker in the first set, as the German netted a forehand volley on his opponent’s third set point. From out of nowhere, however, Isner relinquished control of the match with a loss of serve at 2-2 in the second. The former University of Georgia star had won 26 service points in a row prior to that game.

Zverev consolidated his break the rest of the way, but another momentum swing was soon in the cards for this contest. Isner broke right away for a 2-0 lead in the deicer and if it wasn’t over at that point, it was when the four-time Atlanta champion earned another scalp of the Zverev serve for a 4-0 advantage.

“Conditions are good for me,” Isner said. “I played well today and I needed to. I’m happy to get through…. I just got on top of him early (in the third set); definitely took the pressure off.”

Next up for Isner is Matthew Ebden in the semifinals. Edben, a straight-set winner over Marcos Baghadatis, trails the head-to-head series 3-1 but beat Isner in four sets at this year’s Australian Open.

“I’m definitely playing better than I was in the beginning of the year,” Isner commented. “To his credit he played much better than me that day in Australia. He had the home crowd on his side; it helps a lot. Now I’m sort of playing in my backyard; he beat me in his backyard. Now we’ll see if I can turn the tide.”

Isner is joined in the semis by fellow American Ryan Harrison, who recorded his third comeback from a set down this week with a 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-6(5) upset of third-seeded Hyeon Chung.

“I feel like after I fought through those first couple rounds, I started to feel more confident,” said Harrison, who did not drop serve a single time. “I knew I was going to have to play better…. Even after making a few unforced errors in the tiebreaker, I was able to get it done. I got through so I’m really happy.

“I didn’t get broken the whole match against one of the best returners in the world. He’s No. 23 in the world and his return is probably one of his best shots, and I just played an entire match and didn’t get broken. So I’m very happy with the way I served.”

Harrison will now face Cameron Norrie, who got a retirement from Nick Kyrgios while leading 7-5, 3-0.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.

Topics: 10sballs, Atlanta Tennis, Atp, BB&T Atlanta Open, John Isner, Matthew Ebden, Sports, Tennis