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The veteran John Isner is through into the Newport semi-final following a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 triumph over the top seed Tommy Paul. The 38-year-old is competing in Newport for the 11th time, entering one of his favorite events from outside the top-100 for the second time after his debut in 2007!
John came to Newport with four ATP wins in 2023, losing 100 positions on the ATP ranking list in comparison to the previous year but still standing as one of the players to beat at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open. Isner and Paul met for the third time, and the older American grabbed his third victory after two hours and 41 minutes.
John squandered a break advantage in the final set before delivering two mini-breaks in the tie break to emerge at the top. Isner fired 20 aces and defended six out of eight break points. Paul saved five out of seven break chances, making one last push in the final set but ending on the losing side.
John faced three break points in the encounter's third game and denied them to avoid an early setback.
John Isner prevailed over Tommy Paul in Newport.
Tommy kept pushing on the return and grabbed a break at 15 at 3-3 after cracking a backhand down the line return winner.
Isner faced three set points on serve in the ninth game, denying them and holding to prolong the set. Paul served for the opener at 5-4 and landed a half-volley winner at 40-30 to clinch it in 46 minutes. John served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
The veteran denied the rival's game point in game six and cracked a forehand return winner to forge a 4-2 advantage. Tommy saved two set points on serve in the eighth game before John landed a booming serve on his serve in the next one to wrap up the set and force a decider.
Isner produced three comfortable holds at the start of the third set and challenged his rival to repeat that. Paul played a loose service game at 2-2 and netted a volley to get broken and push Isner closer to the finish line.
The older American cemented the break with a hold at love in game six and earned a chance to break the rival's resistance in the next one. Paul defended two break points and held to remain within one break deficit. John squandered a game point at 4-3, and Tommy broke him with a backhand down the line winner.
They served well in the remaining four games to introduce a tie break. Isner grabbed an early lead and scored his second mini-break in the fourth point for 3-1. The veteran landed two volley winners to open a 5-2 gap and added another at 5-4 for a match point. John converted it with a service winner to celebrate the victory and remain on the title course.