John Isner will be back in action one day after upsetting Roger Federer as he goes up against David Ferrer in the Paris quarterfinals on Friday. The schedule also features a showdown between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet.
(8) David Ferrer vs. (13) John Isner
A season that began with two utterly dismal months could end with Isner being one of two alternates at the World Tour Finals. The world No. 13 kept that chance alive in improbable fashion on Thursday, when he upset Roger Federer 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(5) to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Masters. Through two matches this week, Isner has 48 aces and just one-double fault. The 6’10” American is a stellar 45-25 for the year; for those counting, that means he has won more than two out of every three matches (42-20) since starting the 2015 campaign 3-5.
Up next for Isner on Friday afternoon is a seventh career encounter with Ferrer. The eighth-ranked Spaniard, who has already secured his spot at the year-end championship, is leading the head-to-head series 5-1. Isner, though, won their only previous indoor hard-court clash 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and it came at the same stage of this same Paris event in 2011. Ferrer’s 2015 record stands at an awesome 54-12 following defeats of Alexandr Dolgopolov and Grigor Dimitrov. But the 33-year-old needed two hours and two minutes to beat Dimitrov 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 even though the Bulgarian made 64 unforced errors. Although Isner would obviously prefer to play in the United States, by European standards this setting is perfect for him. The relatively high-bouncing court is conducive to Isner’s serve, which has been absolutely dominant of late.
Pick:Â Isner in 3
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(10) Richard Gasquet vs. (2) Andy Murray
Murray and Gasquet will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at a seemingly modest 6-3 in Murray’s favor, but he has won six of their last seven encounters. Gasquet took their first two meetings back in 2006 (Canada) and 2007 (also in the quarterfinals of this same Paris tournament). Murray, who has defeated the Frenchman in straight sets only once in nine meetings, most recently got the job done 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in this summer’s Cincinnati quarters.
An in-form Gasquet is aiming to become the first alternate in London and he is certainly looking good in that effort. The world No. 9 is coming off consecutive semifinal showings in Stockholm and Basel, and so far this week he has gotten past Leonardo Mayer and Kei Nishikori without dropping a set (Nishikori retired in the second). This is just Murray’s second event of the fall, as he wants to be rested for the upcoming Davis Cup final against Belgium and still has the World Tour Finals on his schedule. The third-ranked Scot reached the Shanghai semis and he punched his ticket to the Paris quarters by completely destroying Borna Coric and David Goffin. Gasquet will prove to be much tougher for a player who is only 15-8 lifetime at this tournament and his more important matters to tend to later this month.
Pick:Â Gasquet in 3
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Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Murray in three and ferrer in three
YES FOR ONCE RICKY I AGREE WITH YOU! Im really not sure if gasquet or isner will win but its possible and i am really dreaming for it……would be great.
“for once” hahaha
Seriously do you guys hate Murray? You thought Coffin would take Murray to 3 sets and now you think Gasquet is going to beat Murray in 3 even though Murray has only lost 4 games in his last two matches…Seriously you have ridiculous tennis predictions.
who is Coffin?
Whoever has a cold.
what does Murray beating an opponent ranked 16th in the world who didnt even come to play have anything to do with his chances against Gasquet?
also you can probably get Gasquet at something like +450. If you think that is bad value, you’re flat out wrong.
We don’t hate Murray. But though Gasquet is playing great I don’t see him eating Murray bcos at crucial times Gasquet lacks the belief. But i wont be surprised if there’s an upset. But I do believe Isner will beat Ferrer IF Isner’s serves remain potent!! So my call is:
Murray in 2
Isner in 3
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Gasket is overrated and is known for underperforming in his home country.
Murray in two.
Isner in two.
as an american i can firmly say Isner is to soft to beat the tough Spaniard
um, what?
1) how is he “soft” if he just beat Roger Federer in a third-set tiebreaker?
2) how does beating Ferrer require one to be less “soft” than beating Federer?
3) what does you being an American have anything to do with analyzing how soft or not soft Isner is?
I am going with Murray in 3 sets.
Isner/Ferrer had me going back and forth. Can Isner back up that big victory over Fed? With that big serve, it’s certainly possible. I finally got to see the rest of the Isner/ Fed match and this win was impressive. I don’t know if Fed was subpar or not, but beating him in two TB’s in one match is a good thing. Fed had the Parisian crowd roaring for him all the way, but Isner kept it together.
Since I have to choose, I will take Isner in 3 sets.
Isner is playing out of his shoes right now, Ferrer should be too much with his return, but it looks like this surface is playing to Isner’s strengths. Although in the last tournament he looked great the match before losing to Gulbis…so you never know. Really is a pick em. As a bettor I would stay away.
i just can’t see anyone breaking Isner more than once a match right now other than Djokovic. Not even Ferrer. And Ferrer won’t be able to hold serve reliably enough, even against Isner. Yes it’s close to 50-50, but I like Isner’s chances if he serves at 65 percent or more.
Big John in 2 tight sets.
Richard in 3.
I may be seeing something that is not there but I just do not see Richard beating Andy even on his home soil…IMO Andy looks too good and did not even break a sweat while Richy must be so tired…so Andy in2 is my pick..
and for Ferry…Isner seemed to have some issues with his right quadriceps…he will be forced to run when playing Ferry which he will not be able to do…while he sure can take a set from the Spanish grinder I see Ferry beating Isner in 3…
Nats: I reckon you are right. Historically Gasquet rarely plays his best tennis in Paris however hard the crowd tries to carry him over the line. In fact at one point he developed a phobia about failing in front of his countrymen.
the Scot and the Spaniard to win.
Murray could blow a gasket…
He almost did in that first set, but its a shame Gasquest lost it bcos he certainly did have his chances.
That backhand of Gasquet i really think is the best on the circuit…….no one comes close IMO!!! NO ONE!!!
^^He is one of a number of players whose results don’t reflect their talents.
hes had a good year this year. I dont think Gasquets talent is deserving of a ranking better than 9th….
Actually was thinking of titles more than ranking. He still has only 12 and all those are 250s.
close?
Gasquet to serve for the 2nd set at 5:3.
Gasquet takes the 2nd set 64. His bhdl is working well.
Indeed!!! Im glad he at least won a set. Hope he keeps it competitive in the 3rd.
Setquet
Murray is beginning to grab his leg as he does.
and the lower back
Has Murray lost interest in this match?
Lol…..nope…..at least not until he thinks he WILL win it! Right now he is grabbing everything!!!….lol!!!
The Murray swear machine is now switched on.
Murray holds. 1st game, final set.
Still anyone’s match but Gasquet seems the better player right now. Deuce on Gasquet’s serve.
This is some really good tennis…..entertaining!
I thought that hold from Murray was crucial. Three sets just as predicted. Good stuff from both guys in this match.
Gasquet is hitting some incredible shots. Murray can’t cope without the ping pong play, Gasquet is playing with variety. Gasquet breaks, he leads 2:1 in the final set.
Murray was ready to have a full on meltdown. Gasquet gets the break.
He was giving earache to his team 🙂
Seriously though if he is injured doesn’t bode well for Davis Cup.
Do we think he might have to pull out of O2 after all?
No. He is not injured. He’s not even hurt.
Are we talking bluff and double bluff?
Murray doesn’t know what’s coming next from Gasquet who is bossing him around. Murray breaks back. Some UEs by Gasquet did for him.
Murray breaks back! Even at 2-all.
Ricky’s right. Andy is just being Andy! 🙂
Murray is playing better now. Great forehand DTL. He’s getting great depth on his shots now. I also think he’s the fresher player.
If Murray breaks here it’s over for Gasquet.
Murray breaks. He serves for the match at 5:3.
Well done by Murray to get the break. He can close it out here.
Ironic that Gasquet’s best shot let him down.
??? no gasquet dang it
Murray wins.
Gasquet was the better player all round, I think.
yep
but….France
One of the great matches I’ve seen that does not involve Rafa Nadal.
wow, beautiful tennis…as I expected Murray won at the end but Gasquet was really up to the task…this was a real treat to watch…both guys playing really well, too bad one of them had to lose…
Murray blew up the Gasket (already made this joke in the wrong thread)
#BetterWording
Gasquet is a much better player now that he is knocking 30 than he did 5 years ago.
Andy says he was a bit stiff in the lower back,
The players are getting better in their 30s.
Natural evolution of the game. Better training, nutrition, technology, etc.
That’s why people should stop using history when they say guys like Rafa and Nole can’t win many slams because others haven’t past 28.
Gasquet’s one handed bh is lethal.
Would anyone like a Murray Mint?
the learning curve and the physical decline one meet at opposite ends
The former is increasing in slope and the latter is decreasing.
Also the former affects the latter.
Gasquet may have been the better player, but Murray made the shots when it counted. It’s not always the one who plays best who gets the win.
^^that.
Explains the difference in ranking.
@ native 4:13pm,
fully agree!
Obviously.
Hindsight.
latter and former form a lattice
sorry, my last comment was meant as a reply to:
hawkeye63 says:
November 6, 2015 at 4:10 pm
Did Isner leave his aces in the locker room – they are not very prolfic so far.
Oh I see the arm is being worked on by the physio.
Ferrer is soaking this up with ease.
Isner has nothing left after beating Federer. Ferrer has a 5-1 h2h with Isner, anyway.
Very few players win their next match after beating Fed.
Isner breaks.
Ferrer messes up serving for the match or was it more a case of a last ditch effort from Big John.
Dang. Isner played great on ferrers two match points.
Ferrer is rushing too much.
He gets a second bite of the cherry.
Not the best move by Ferrer to let it get to a tiebreak.
he’ll be furious wth himself. And Isner gets the first mini break but immediately hands it back
Isner 4:2 with another serve to come. 5:2 Isner.
Isner has set point but Ferrer strikes back 6:6. Isner has another set point takes the TB with an ace. Going to the decider. I’m taking the dog for a walk.
Wow. Good stuff from Isner.
Ferrer breaks to love
Did Ferrer win?
does he ever lose?
Still playing better tennis north of thirty than he ever did prior.
Isner took ill in the 2nd set but Ferrer already had match point on his serve but was broken and Isner went on to take the TB.
Just got back back. Pleased to see Ferrer got the win. Bet Isner will be glad to go home. He looked pretty done in.
I see that Ferrer won this in 3 sets. I am not even upset about being wrong on this one. I should have known that Ferrer would outlast Isner.
Maybe Isner might develop a ground game one day? He is out of the Andy Roddick school of tennis. Serve as hard as you can and try and ace. If ball comes back, bash it as hard as you can with your forehand. Hopefully that ends the point because if you need to play a third shot in a rally you are screwed.