Monaco Defeats Isner for 2012 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
April 16, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Juan Monaco of Argentina defeated American John Isner 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the finals of the U.S. Clay Court Championships to capture his second clay-court title of the year. Monaco rushed through his post-match commitments to the media in hopes of catching a flight off to Europe where he will take part in the 2012 Monte Carlo Masters. Monaco’s first match in Monte Carlo will be on Tuesday.
”No time to rest,” Monaco said. ”I’m just going to make a quick warm-up, and then I’m going to go on the court. My energy is OK. I’ve played a lot of hours here (in Houston). I don’t need to practice, I just need to focus on the match and do my best.”
With a win over Monaco, Isner would have jumped to number eight in the ATP Rankings; however, Monaco broke Isner’s serve three times to serve the American his first clay court loss of the year. Isner is now 7-1 on clay for 2012 and acknowledged his semifinal win over Feliciano Lopez was on tired legs.
”Very good strides this year, but it still could be better,” Isner said. ”I’ve just got to keep working. I know there’s room to improve in my game.”
