ZCZC
BSP-05
TENNIS-ATP-USA
Isner outlasts Ebden to set up all-American Atlanta rematch
LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Top seed John Isner booked his spot
in his eighth Atlanta Open final, defeating Aussie Matthew Ebden 6-4, 6-7
(6/8), 6-1 in the semi-finals on Saturday.
The hard-serving Isner avenged his only loss to Ebden in five career ATP
Tour meetings when the Aussie beat him earlier this year at the Australian
Open.
“It was tough,” Isner said. “Just like yesterday, I was able to get out
early in the third set and that definitely took some pressure off.
“I’m very happy to be back in the final here.”
In the final the 33-year-old Isner will face fellow American Ryan Harrison,
who beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Isner has won eight of his nine semi-finals in Atlanta, and will look to
improve his record of 13-12 in finals.
Isner appeared to be cruising to victory, leading by a set and up by a
break, when the wheels almost fell off.
The fourth-seeded Ebden broke back in the second and then saved one match
point in the ensuing tie-break when Isner flubbed a backhand return.
Isner rebounded by breaking Ebden twice in the deciding set. He smashed 26
aces, using the confidence from his victory at the Miami Open and run to the
Wimbledon semi-finals to win in exactly two hours.
That helped set up the second straight Isner-Harrison Atlanta final with
Isner triumphing last year.
“I know a lot about Ryan,” Isner said. “There are no secrets there. We are
good friends and it’ll be a rematch of last year, so it’ll be cool.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0902 hrs