John Isner improved to 28-4 lifetime at the BB&T Atlanta Open with a 6-3, 6-2 rout of Alex de Minaur on Wednesday night. It was Isner’s fourth-most lopsided result in 32 career matches in Atlanta, as he surrendered a mere five games over one hour and three minutes of play.
“I’m happy to be in Atlanta,” Isner assured. “Of course everyone knows how much I love this tournament. I have a lot of support…. It’s good to be back home (in the United States).”
The world No. 9 is back home after battling Kevin Anderson for more than six hours in a recent Wimbledon semifinal, won by the South African 26-24 in the fifth set. It is safe to say this one was slightly more routine.
Isner took control right from the start, breaking de Minaur for a 4-2 lead in the first set. The four-time Atlanta champion had two more break points to wrap up the set at 5-2 but the Aussie held, leading to an easy service game for Inser at 5-3.
It was all but over for de Minaur immediately in the second, when the 19-year-old dropped serve in the opening game and again in the fifth game. Isner had no trouble coasting to the finish line, as he lost only five points in his last four service games.
“It was a pretty comprehensive win, so I’m happy about that,” the top seed commented. “I’m very happy; I’m extremely happy…. The court bounces very high, so very good conditions for me; very tough conditions for him…. It was good, for sure–six hours shorter than my Wimbledon match.”
Next up for Isner is a Friday quarterfinal against Mischa Zverev, a 6-4, 6-2 winner against Mikhail Youzhny. Zverev owns a 3-2 record over the 6’10” American after winning all three of their matchups last season.
But this one could be different for a very simple reason.
“I’ve never played him in Atlanta,” Isner said. “That might help.”
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