John Isner holds off Vasek Pospisil in three sets on Wednesday in San Jose. Isner is joined in the quarterfinals by Tommy Haas, who made quick work of Jesse Levine.
(2) John Isner d. Vasek Pospisil 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3
Isner earned his first ATP tournament match win of 2013 by defeating Pospisil in the second round of the SAP Open on Wednesday night. Isner fired 14 aces and served at 77 percent to advance after one hour and 48 minutes.
The opening set progressed in expected fashion, with neither player being able to break serve. Isner faced no break points while missing one chance of his own, but he capitalized on his opportunities in the tiebreaker. San Jose’s No. 2 seed won a brilliant net exchange for a mini-break at 3-2 then seized another return point at 6-3 to take the opener in style.
Pospisil turned the tide swiftly and decisively in set two. Out of almost nowhere, the 22-year-old Canadian broke at love for a 4-2 advantage. As if that wasn’t enough, Pospisil earned another scalp of the Isner serve to clinch the set and force a decider.
Isner lost a fifth straight game when his opponent held to open the third and he almost dropped another at 0-1. The 6’9” American fought off two break points, both with aces, managing to stay on level terms. One more momentum shift was yet to be had, and it came with Pospisil serving at 2-2. Isner benefited from three Pospisil errors then converted his second break chance with a forehand pass.
Like Pospisil in the second, Isner did not even have to serve it out the whole way. The world No. 16 broke again at 5-3, clinching victory on his first match point when Pospisil sent a backhand past the baseline.
“I’m definitely on the mend,” said Isner, who missed the Australian Open due to a knee problem. “My serve was working in the third set. In the second set not much was working but I picked it up in the third. This was a good one to get through.”
Next up for Isner in the quarterfinals is either Xavier Malisse or Matthew Ebden.
(3) Tommy Haas d. Jesse Levine 6-3, 6-1
Haas improved to 4-0 lifetime against Levine by prevailing in a mere 55 minutes in Wednesday’s nightcap. The 34-year-old German struck seven aces without double-faulting and he saved the only break point he faced. Haas will go up against one of two Americans–Steve Johnson or Tim Smyczek–in the quarterfinals.
This one was never competitive, as Haas dropped only two service points in the first set. Levine, who now plays under the Canadian flag, managed to win a few more return points in the second but Haas served at 81 percent in that set to help him get out of any trouble spots. Levine wrapped up his effort with one ace and no double-faults.
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