Isner and Dimitrov Advance in Rome

May 11, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Isner_Crop_02_2
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

American John Isner continued his solid clay-court season on Monday, defeating Brazil’s Joao Sousa 7-5, 6-3 in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia first-round.

Isner ripped 13 aces and saved the only break point chance he faced to move past Sousa. He also managed to notch a break point in each set to dictate the play and cruise in straight sets.

The win comes on the heels of his quarterfinal run at the Mutua Madrid Open last week. In the second-round, Isner will meet Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer.

A semifinalist at least year’s tournament, 10th-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov made his way into the second-round on Monday. Dimitrov moved past Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 7-6(4), utilizing an efficient serve that saw him win 77 percent of the points on his serve and not allow a single break point chance.

Dimitrov will play Italian Fabio Fognini, who took out American Steve Johnson 7-6(0), 6-3.

France’s Gilles Simon battled back from a set down to upend American Jack Sock 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3. Playing in his first match in three weeks, the 12th seed Simon locked down the lone break point of the third set to secure the victory and advance. He will take on Austrian Dominic Thiem, who edged Italian Simone Bolelli 7-6(4), 7-6(5) in a tight contest Monday.

Philipp Kohlschreiber ousted American Donald Young in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. The German’s serve was too much for Young, surrendering no break point chances to advance.

Kohlschreiber will play 15th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson in the second-round.

Other winners in Rome on Monday included: Juan Monaco, Pablo Cuevas, Richard Gasquet and Marsel Illhan

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
USTA NTC
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