Isner Powers Into First Career Major Semifinal
It’s been 12 years in the making, but American John Isner is into the first Grand Slam semifinal of his career after dispatching Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-3 in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday.
In a matchup of two big-time servers, few were surprised that neither play faltered on their own serve as the opening set went into a tiebreaker. Raonic raced out to an early lead in the breaker, and despite Isner trimming the deficit, Raonic took the match’s early advantage.
But from that point forward, it was Isner’s match. The third-seed took the second set in a tiebreak and then proceeded to break Raonic three times in the final two sets while winning 28 of the 38 points on his serve to complete the victory, and book his place in the final four at the All-England Club.
“Pure elation right now,” Isner said, describing his post-match emotions. “Very, very happy to be in this position right now in the semifinals. With how I’m feeling physically and mentally, I’m in a very good spot. I think I can keep doing damage here.
This is amazing. It’s by far the best Grand Slam I’ve ever played in my career, and I’ve been playing for 11 years. I’m super happy. To do it here at Wimbledon makes it even a little bit more special.”
Isner will take on Kevin Anderson for a spot in the final.
In the day’s final match, second-seed Rafael Nadal outlasted fifth-seed Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 6-7(6), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a nearly five hour match.
Nadal plays Novak Djokovic, who was a winner over Kei Nishikori 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the first result of the day.
