It was painful end but also perhaps a fitting one for John Isner at the U.S. Open on Thursday.
Playing the final tournament of his career, Isner came within one point of advancing to the third round but ended up losing a five-set thriller to Michael Mmoh after three hours and 57 minutes. Mmoh saved a match point at 4-5, 30-40 and twice battled back from a mini-break down in the fifth-set tiebreaker to prevail 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(7).
“This is why I’ve worked as hard as I have my whole life, to play in atmospheres like this,” Isner said afterward. “I might not win them all, as we know, just like today. To play in front of this crowd and have the support I’ve had is pretty special.”
Being on this stage is also the reason why Andy Murray is still grinding away on tour, four years after announcing his own “retirement” at the 2019 Australian Open. Successful hip surgery later in 2019 changed Murray’s plans, however, and he is not only still on tour but also back up to No. 37 in the world. On Thursday, though, he was no match for fellow veteran Grigor Dimitrov. Following two sets that were more competitive than the scores suggested, Dimitrov raced away with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 victory.
“It’s obviously disappointing to not play how you would like,” Murray admitted. “It’s unbelievably challenging to play at the highest level as I am now. And, yeah, some days it’s harder than others. But today is obviously a really disappointing defeat–and probably the manner of it, as well. I fought hard enough, but just didn’t play well enough.
“You know, ultimately these are the events that you want to play your best tennis in, and create more great moments. (I) didn’t do that this year.”
Also in the final stages of his career, Gael Monfils exited with a 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 loss to Andrey Rublev. Stan Wawrinka, however, is still flying the flag for that generation after he held off Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(6), 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-2.
tough end for John
Go Dawgs & Go Big John: great career!
He went 5 sets with Nadal at RG and led 2 sets to 1.
The best kick server. If not the best overall server
Some people find that style boring but I still enjoy players like Isner and Raonic.
I think that might be a male thing usually.