Isner Wins as Sock and Johnson Are Ousted in Atlanta
Top-seeded John Isner edged Czech Radek Stepanek 7-6(3), 7-6(7) to reach the BB&T Atlanta Open quarterfinals on Thursday, firing 33 aces to get past Stepanek in two tie-breakers and advance.
“I played a pretty nervous match to be honest,” said Isner, who played his college tennis at the University of Georgia. “It’s my first match here … I’ve had close matches every year, and tonight was no different. I’ve generally played better as the tournament goes on and I hope that’s the case.”
Both players converted on two break points in eight chances, but the difference came in the two tiebreakers, which Isner dominated. He improves to 17-3 in his career in Atlanta.
Up next for the top-ranked American will be Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, who got past sixth-seeded American Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-2. Berankis pounced on four of his six break point chances to hold off Johnson.
Another American was upset in Atlanta on Thursday, as third-seed Jack Sock failed to advance. Denis Kudla ousted Sock 7-6(6), 6-3 to reach the final eight. He converted on four of his five break point chances to pull away in the end and continue his excellent run of tennis in recent weeks, going 16-2 since early June.
“I thought I served well in the big moments and played well in the key points to give myself an opportunity to be on offense. I was really happy with my performance in the heat,” said the American qualifier. “It’s tough to come back when it’s that hot outside. I’ve been in the heat for four days now, but I’m happy to take advantage of the opportunity. It is his first match, he has no rhythm. I’m just happy for the win.”
Kudla will move on and face Israel’s Dudi Selia, who upended eighth-seeded German Benjamin Becker 7-5, 6-3.
The other quarterfinals in Atlanta will see fifth-seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus take on second-seeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil, and Japan’s Go Soeda face seventh-seeded Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.
