Under the lights in Atlantic Station, three-time champion John Isner earned the final slot in the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open semifinals, defeating young American Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes.
After an incredibly hot and humid day where on-court temperatures soared about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, Isner and Fritz enjoyed much cooler temperatures as they opened up the night session in Atlanta. Always the crowd favorite, Isner played beautiful tennis, largely from the baseline. As always, his serve was on-point, as he cracked 20 aces in the contest. Fritz, at only 18 years old, played extremely well. His ranking will jump to the mid-50’s after his successful week in Atlanta.
The 18-year-old from California was overpowering the world number 17 at moments, but as the veteran, Isner held his nerve better in the big moments. The top seed will face another 18-year-old American in the semifinals in Reilly Opelka, who is having the tournament of his life. Opelka took out hometown favorite Donald Young in straight sets earlier in the afternoon after taking out third-seeded Kevin Anderson in the round just before.
Isner breaks late to seal back-and-forth opening set
After an incredibly hot afternoon in Atlanta, the relieved fans poured into the much cooler Stadium Court for the start of the night session in Atlantic Station. The fans were treated to an all-American quarterfinal clash between rising star Taylor Fritz and local star John Isner, who attended college at the University of Georgia, only an hour and a half away from downtown Atlanta.
Isner, who has never missed this tournament since it moved to Atlanta in 2010, has won the title the past three seasons. Coming into this contest, Isner and Fritz had never played before, but the two had practiced together in the past. Throughout the first set, both players were strong on serve. Fritz did a great job of fending off break point chances, but all of these pressure moments took their toll.
Finally, however, the number one American finally converted a break point, his fifth of the set, to go up five games to four. Just when it seemed that the world number 17 would close out the set with a few aces, the pressure got to the three-time champion. With a chance to serve out the set, Isner faltered, gifting the break back to Fritz on a double fault.
Despite his obvious frustration, the veteran channeled the anger into his game, as he broke back immediately for a six games to five lead. The number one seed then served out the first set, claiming it seven games to five in 45 minutes.
Top seed advances to sixth straight Atlanta semifinals
While Isner continued to power on, Fritz was visited by the trainer with a right shoulder injury. After the match, Isner recognized that the shoulder was bothering the 18-year-old throughout the contest. Despite this injury, the current world number 60 fought hard, continuing to make the Greensboro, North Carolina native work hard for his victory.
There were no breaks to be found through the first six games. In the seventh game, however, Isner made his push, earning the break to go ahead. The six foot ten American never let go of this break, however, riding it out to victory.
The top seed has a very quick turnaround, as he will face Opelka tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM local time. For Isner, this is his sixth consecutive semifinals in Atlanta. The tournament only moved to Atlanta in 2010, meaning Isner has never failed to reach at least the semifinals in Atlanta.
Isner has never faced Opelka, but after the match, he did state that the two have practiced together in the past. He said that he expects a tough match, as Opelka’s serve is such a weapon and because has been playing so well this week.