Isner targets Davis Cup glory

Originally published on 04/04/18 00:00

The 32-year-old has had little time to celebrate his recent success at the Miami Open, and he has already turned his attention to his nation’s upcoming tie with last year’s beaten finalists.

Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, Ryan Harrison and Steve Johnson join Isner in the American squad and the hosts are the overwhelming favourite to prevail against injury-hit opposition.

Belgium is without the services of star performer David Goffin due to a freak eye injury sustained in Rotterdam in February – and Steve Darcis is also on the sidelines.

“You throw the rankings out the window in Davis Cup, it’s a completely different animal,” Isner told Davis Cup.com.

“Sometimes players don’t play as well as they are capable of because of the pressure and sometimes players can have the pressure on them and play at an extremely high level.

“We’re not looking past this team [Belgium] by any means. Sure, we are the favourites on paper as our team is very strong, but it’s going to be a tough match.”

Isner, who has won 14 of 25 singles rubbers while representing his country, believes it’s time the USA, the most successful nation in the competition’s history, ended an 11-year wait for further glory.

“The luxury we have is that we have five extremely good singles players on our team and five extremely good doubles players as well,” added the world No.9. “Jim Courier has so many good players at his disposal, all five of us are singles players with doubles skills. 

"We certainly like our team this year.”

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