ATLANTA: Top seed John Isner claimed the Atlanta Open title for the second successive year with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Israel’s Dudi Sela, yesterday.
Standing 6-foot-10, Isner towered over the 5-foot-9 Sela and punished him with his serve.
The world number 12 cracked down 15 aces to end the run of the diminutive Sela who was playing his first ATP title for six years.
“This is my favorite time of year,” American Isner told reporters. “I’m off to a very good start again. I look forward to playing Washington DC again (this week). I’ve played well there my whole career.”
Isner’s familiar form helped him capture the opening set in 34 minutes as he won 14 of 15 points on his dominant first serve.
Trying to close out the match, Isner fell behind 30-0 in the final game but ripped off three straight aces to clinch the victory.
“Right from the very beginning I felt great,” Isner said. “These (hot) conditions favour me quite a bit. I couldn’t ask for better conditions.”
Isner was playing his fourth Atlanta final in five years. He was runner-up to Mardy Fish in 2010 and 2011 and won the title last year by defeating South African Kevin Anderson.
Isner is now 16-3 in his career at the Atlanta Open.
REUTERS
