Americans Isner, Stephens Capture Miami Titles

April 3, 2018 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Isner (4)

 

It was a banner weekend for the Americans down in Miami as John Isner won the men’s singles title, Sloane Stephens won the women’s singles title and the Bryan Brothers captured the men’s doubles title.

Isner entered the Miami Open with just two wins under his belt for the whole 2018 season, but found his form to win the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title of his career, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4.

“To win like that in front of a crowd like that, with that atmosphere, you can’t replicate moments like that,” said Isner. “It was absolutely amazing. This tournament has so much history. All the best players have played here through the years. For Sascha and I to share the court in the last men’s singles match ever here at this tournament is amazing. I never thought I would be in this moment considering how I was playing coming into this event.”

With the win, Isner catapults to No. 9 in the world rankings and reclaims the title of the top-ranked American man.

Isner’s compatriot Sloane Stephens dialed up her best tennis in months to claim the Miami title as she defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(5), 6-1.

In a battle of Grand Slam champions from a year ago, Stephens was just too much for Ostapenko. The American will climb to No. 9 in the rankings, and improves to an impressive 6-0 in finals.

“This place is pretty special to me,” said Stephs. “I grew up playing tennis here. When the USTA was here, we played Orange Bowl and all sorts of tournaments here. I’m definitely happy that I could be the last person to win here. I have had some amazing experiences here, and I’ll definitely miss it. But I just fell fortunate that I was able to do that here in South Florida with all my friends and family watching.”

Bob and Mike Bryan won their 37th career ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and their 115th overall with a 4-6, 7-6(5), 10-4 over the Russian duo of Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov.

“I’m really proud of the way we’re playing, how we’ve turned it around from a fairly rough last year,” said Bob Bryan. “We’re building every week. I feel like we’re gaining momentum, and I’m very optimistic going into the clay-court season. And I think we’re playing with a lot of joy now, and it’s showing in our results.”

 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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