For the first time in 10 lifetime appearances at the BB&T Atlanta Open, John Isner is out prior to the semifinals.
Isner, who went into this week boasting an incredible 31-4 overall record in Atlanta with five titles, lost to Reilly Opelka 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 7-6(5) during second-round action on Wednesday night.
The top-seeded American finished runner-up to Mardy Fish in the first to installments of this event, fell to Andy Roddick in the 2012 semifinals, won it in 2013, 2014, and 2015, lost the 2016 final to Nick Kyrgios, and won it again in 2017 and 2018.
But this one was always going to be tough. Isner and Opelka had already squared off twice this season, with Opelka prevailing on both occasions–7-6(4), 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 7-6(5) at the Australian Open and 6-7(8), 7-6(14), 7-6(4) on the indoor hard courts of New York. Three more tiebreakers on Wednesday mean they have now played 10 sets against each other in 2019…and 10 tiebreakers.
“In a match like that it was literally a coin flip,” Isner explained. “That’s what it is; it’s a simple as that. I don’t know what to tell you…. I had some chances but he erased them. Then it came down to a tiebreaker; he won one return point, and I didn’t. I want to give you more, but that’s actually the case of the match. It’s a simple as that.”
Those chances were three break points–virtual match points–at 5-5 in the third set. Opelka snuffed out two with aces and one via a service winner.
“I almost lost it in the third,” the world No. 57 admitted. “I was clutch on big moments in the match. In the first-set tiebreaker I played unbelievable–pretty much flawless…. “What do you expect? We’re playing in Atlanta–live, bouncy courts; the best server of all time, and obviously I have a pretty big serve, as well. There are going to be tiebreakers. But hen the ball came back, I played great tennis today. And so did John.”
Isner wasn’t quite good enough this time in Atlanta, but that does not really change anything for Opelka.
“This is his tournament; it always will be,” the 21-year-old praised. “He’s definitely a tough guy to beat in Atlanta. He was probably the better player in that match. I’m really happy that I was able to find a way to win.”
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It may be unprecedented, but it’s not much of a surprise. Opelka’s got his number.
title up for grabs
Honestly I feel like Opelka will win this thing. Evans will be tough but the way Reilly is serving, he should be favored in every match. And his freaking ground strokes are great. I know it’s crazy and still probably sounds like a huge stretch at the moment, but a few years ago, I said this guy is gonna win Wimbledon one day. I don’t think it’s impossible still. His backhand is great, that’s the craziest part about him.
Live by the serve, die by the serve. /shrug
Predictable outcome…but great drama for Atl fans!
Bad match-up for John and Reilly seems to play his best againsy John. He’s not that consistant playing others. Hated to see John lose, but maybe now he’ll be a little more rested for Washington D.C.