Top Four Ranked John Isner to Compete in Tuesday Afternoon Session

Written by: Staff on 17th August 2011

Top Four Ranked John Isner to Compete in Tuesday Afternoon Session

John Isner of the USA returns to Nicolas Almagro of Spain during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 June 2011. EPA/GEOFF CADDICK |

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AUGUST 17, 2011) – John Isner – currently tied for the No. 4 position in the U.S. Open Series standings – will compete in the Tuesday, August 23, day session at the Winston-Salem Open. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the first match of the session will begin at 11 a.m. Isner grew up in Greensboro, graduated from Page High School and was a four-time All American at the University of Georgia.

“Since John has many family members, friends and fans in the Triad, we wanted to announce his first playing time as early as possible. Although we know the beginning time of John’s first session, we don’t know the time of his match yet,” said tournament director Bill Oakes. “John was the among the first to sign on with the Winston-Salem Open last spring, and we’re incredibly excited to have him back on his hometown turf in the Triad.”

Oakes said that the day session August 23 is poised to be “Super Tuesday” at the Winston-Salem Open because it is likely that more than ten of the seeded players will be competing in their first match at the inaugural Winston-Salem Open.

Isner is well known in tennis circles as the only player in the top 150 to attend college for four years, for being the second tallest player on tour (6’9”) and for his fast rise on the ATP ranking. He has one of the hardest serves among current pros and holds the record for the longest match ever played in tennis history. Isner’s heroic battle at Wimbledon against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut lasted for 11 hours and 5 minutes, ending with his 70-68 victory in the fifth set.