Top
John Isner Andrey Rublev
ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

‘Rublev was the better player. My serve kept me in it’, admits John Isner after Madrid upset


John Isner reached the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open after edging Andrey Rublev in what he described as “perfect serving conditions”.

The 36-year-old prevailed 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) in just over two hours in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday.

The opening set went to a tiebreak after neither player faced a break point, and Isner sealed it after storming to a 4-0 lead. The world No. 7 hit back by breaking the American twice en route to taking the second set.

The final set was also decided by a tiebreak after Isner saved the only break point at 1-2. The world No. 39 clinched a huge win with consecutive aces, after claiming the only mini-break with a searing forehand return winner for 5-3.

“I’m very happy. I wasn’t the better player out there today; I did win the match. My serve kept me in it. There’s a reason he’s won so many matches this year,” Isner said in a post-match interview.

“It’s perfect serving conditions out here, especially on this court. It’s got a nice sound, kind of like an indoor court. I can’t ask for anything better.”

Isner will face two-time Madrid Open finalist and world No. 4 Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals.


By
0

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.