Top-Seeded Isner Cruises Past Fellow American Klahn at Winston-Salem Open

August 20, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

Two-time champion John Isner rolled past American Bradley Klahn in the second round of the Winston-Salem Open on Tuesday, defeating the 117th ranked Klahn 7-6(2), 6-2 to advance into the third round. Isner remains undefeated at the event, which includes titles in 2011 and 2012. After escaping the first set in a tie-breaker, Isner used two key break points in the second to breeze to the straight set victory.

“It was a pretty good match for me, a match I’ve seen a lot in my career,” said Isner. “I win a first set that I easily could’ve lost and then I played a lot better in the second set. It was a tale f two sets.”

After winning the Atlanta Open title to begin the Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series, Isner failed to make it out of the round of 16 in the last three tournaments. He says now, though, that he is geared up for a late summer run.

“I feel like my game is fine; it’s where I want it to be,” said Isner. “More importantly, I feel good on the court. I feel healthy.”

The top-ranked American needed just 68 minutes to push his way into the third round, and will play 13th seeded Russian Mikhail Kukushkin next. Kukushkin came back from a set down to knock off Dutchman Robin Hasse.

Twenty-three-year-old Belgian David Goffin continued his good play as he knocked off fourth-seeded Argentinean Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 6-1. Goffen surprised many when he took home the crown at the Bet-at-Home Cup in Austria and has not missed a beat in North Carolina. In the first-round, he took out defending champion Jurgen Melzer, and will now meet Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Also advancing on Tuesday were Americans Sam Querrey and Donald Young. Querrey zipped past fellow countryman Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-3, while Young had no issues with Canadian Frank Dancevic in his 6-1, 6-3 victory.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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