Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Martina Hingis of Switzerland react to a point during their first round doubles match against Julia Goerges of Germany and Darija Jurak of Croatia at the Southern California Open at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, yesterday.
WASHINGTON: John Isner, fresh off a seventh ATP title, fired 19 aces yesterday to beat Alex Kuznetsov 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4) at the ATP and WTA Washington Open.
Eighth-seeded American Isner, who won last week at Atlanta, advanced to the round of 16 at the $1.76m hardcourt event before rain washed out most of the day’s matches. That included tournament openers for Argentine top seed Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion and a two-time Washington winner, and second seed Kei Nishikori, who received first-round byes.
Two other second-round matches were halted, with South African seventh seed Kevin Anderson leading Australian qualifier James Duckworth 6-3, 3-6, 5-4 and German third seed Tommy Haas leading US qualifier Tim Smyczek 3-6, 7-5, 1-0.
The total washouts for Nishikori, ranked a career-best 11th this week, and Del Potro mean they will have to win five times in four days to take the title. Today’s schedule has both players slated for two matches.
That bolsters Isner’s hopes for back-to-back trophies, despite a tough title run last week.
Big-serving Isner won six of seven tie-breakers he played in Atlanta, but dropped one to Anderson in the final and only won the last-set tie-breaker after saving two match points.
“The tank isn’t completely full, but I’ve got a lot of confidence,” Isner said. “I’ve been able to focus and play well in the tight moments. Using my weapon, my big serve, puts a lot of pressure on opponents.
“I feel like I can get sharper as this event goes along.”
Isner will play India’s 129th-ranked Somdev Devvarman today for a spot in the quarter-finals.
REUTERS
