Sports

American Isner wins as opponent melts down

Xavier Malisse

Xavier Malisse (UPI)

AN EARLY SCARE: John Isner reacts after defeating Xavier Malisse in the first round of the U.S. Open yesterday in five sets. (
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John Isner is considered America’s best hope at a breakthrough here at the U.S. Open, his current form and a favorable draw conspiring to make him a trendy pick for the semifinals. But yesterday he had to stave off a first-round scare, escaping testy Xavier Malisse 6-3, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 7-6 (9).

“I knew the match was going to be tough,” the ninth-seeded Isner said. “A lot of people are projecting me to go far here, but I wasn’t looking past this match. I had my hands full. He doesn’t mind playing me. He’s played me well in the past, and he did it again [yesterday]. It was anyone’s match. I just got pretty fortunate in the end.’’

There are few players who enjoy facing Isner, with his 6-foot-9 height and booming serve. He hit 20 aces and clinched the match with a big service winner on his third match-point. Isner needed all that serving prowess yesterday — along with a few helpers from Malisse.

The 32-year-old from Belgium appeared to lose his cool at several points during the match. Malisse got into arguments with spectators, the chair umpire and finally hit a simple backhand volley into the net to set up match point. Afterward, he picked up the ball and shoved it in his mouth, as if trying to muzzle himself.

For his part, Isner is accustomed to sweaty-palmed marathon matches. Isner has played a number of five-set matches early in Grand Slams, including the longest match in professional tennis history in 2010 at Wimbledon. He has logged a tour-high 50 tiebreakers this year, and though he improved to 37-13, he realizes he’s tempting fate.

“I don’t really blow anyone off the court when I play,” he said. “A lot of times I win matches on close margins. Sometimes it can go against me.”

Isner has avoided the big three in his quarter of the men’s draw. Considering he’s in the top 10 and has wins over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, it’s clear he’s somewhat managing expectations to say he doesn’t feel any added pressure this year.

“There’s been some instances this year … in Indian Wells my draw sort of opened up,” Isner said. “It’s hard not to realize. A lot of people had me going to the semis even after my first match. I try not to focus on it too much. I feel like I’ve done a better job, especially this year when situations have come up where it seems like I may have a good draw. I don’t look ahead, I just focus on who my next match is.’’