Sports

Isner defeats Tomic to advance to New York Open quarters

February 14, 2019
John Isner, seen in this file photo, made quick work of Australia's Bernard Tomic to advance to the quarterfinals of the New York Open.
John Isner, seen in this file photo, made quick work of Australia's Bernard Tomic to advance to the quarterfinals of the New York Open.

NEW YORK — John Isner made quick work of Australia's Bernard Tomic to advance to the quarterfinals of the New York Open on Wednesday with a 7-6(9-7), 6-4 victory.

The big-serving American sent down 27 aces, won 85 percent points on his first serve and did not face a single break point as he wrapped up the match in 74 minutes at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

"I definitely served very well," Isner said after the match. "I was down a set point in the first set and I came up with three aces.

"I'm happy to be in the quarterfinals. Last year I lost my first match here, hopefully I continue to improve."

Isner, who was knocked out in the first round of last month's Australian Open, is the tournament's top seed after South African Kevin Anderson withdrew with an elbow injury.

Both players held firm on serve in the first set to force a tiebreak, which the 33-year-old Isner held his nerve to win.

Tomic fought till the end, striking 13 aces and saving five of the six break points he faced, as well as six match points in the second set, before Isner eventually claimed his first victory of 2019.

In the quarterfinals, the American will face Australian seventh seed Jordan Thompson, who defeated Christopher Eubanks 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, earlier on Wednesday.

Youngster Munar ousts

Italy's Fognini in Argentina

Spain's Jaume Munar battled back from a set down to defeat second-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, in the Argentina Open on Wednesday and advance to the quarterfinals.

The unseeded 21-year-old, who qualified for last month's Australian Open but retired against Fognini in his first match, followed up his run to last year's ATP Next Gen semifinals by beating the world number 15 at the second time of asking.

"It's the best victory of my career," said Munar, who is ranked 77th in the world.

Fognini had Munar on the ropes in the final set and got to within two points of victory, but the youngster rallied, breaking the 31-year-old to level at 5-5 and winning with a burst of 12 points in a row.

He will battle local hope Guido Pella for a place in the semifinals. — Reuters


February 14, 2019
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