Memphis SF
Sixth seed John Isner reached the final of the ATP 500 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. The twenty five year old continued his great form in this year where he has now built up a record of 12 wins to one loss including a title at Adelaide in January. His only loss had come against Andy Murray at the Australian Open.
Isner however needed three sets to overcome a fighting Phillip Petzschner 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Isner had a chance to lead 3-1 with a breakpoint in the fourth game after taking the first set but dropped his focus and level of play to allow Petchner to go up a break in the second set.
Isner fought back to level at 4-4 but then promptly lost his serve with erratic forehand errors and double faulted facing breakpoint. Isner had previously won 40 service games in a row before getting broken in the second set.
The third set went with serve till a late break to Isner gave him the chance to serve out the match. He had to fight off two break points while serving for the match and was relieved to get through.
He was watched by his mom Karen in the stands who was fervently supporting her son. The match took just over two hours with Isner serving 13 aces to 12 for Petzschner.
Sam Querrey made it an All American final beating Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-4.
Querrey will play his doubles partner and US Davis cup team mate in the final on Sunday. Gulbis started off strong with 0-40 opportunity on Querrey’s serve but showed the inconsistency in letting go of his chances to break.
This is what has troubled him in his career so far. Querrey himself didn’t capitalise on 4 breakpoint chances in the fourth game allowing Gulbis to level at 2-2.
Querrey then had 3 breakpoints to break Gulbis serve in the sixth game. Gulbis saved two but was unable to fight off the third. Querrey then went on to win the set 6-3.
The eighth seed ranked 31st in the world managed an early break in the second set to lead 2-1 as Gulbis made two bad forehand errors smashing his racquet in frustration as well. The American then held serve at love with 3 consecutive aces and one service winner. Querrey just held on to win after fighting off 5 breakpoints while serving for the match.
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