By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 8, 2015
John Isner needed 30 aces to get past a determined Steve Johnson in their three-set semifinal thriller in Washington, D.C.
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Tennis fans in Washington, D.C. were treated to an electric final set tiebreak in an all-American semifinal between John Isner and Steve Johnson at the Citi Open. Yet it's Isner who now finds himself in Sunday's final for the third time in his career.
"I'm so excited to be back in the final," Isner said right after to Tennis Channel. "It's my third time in the final and maybe it will be third time lucky."
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In a match that came down to who could execute serving wise, it was Isner who took control early in the first set. A pair of double faults from Johnson eventually set up a break point for Isner. The No. 8 seed converted with a backhand down the line pass to take the lead 4-2.
From there, Isner would close out the first set 6-3.
Johnson, in his first ATP semifinal, remained determined and relentless during the second set while Isner started trying to shorten points more by coming into net. Johnson got his opportunity in the seventh game when Isner committed several errors leading to a break point. Johnson ripped a low return at Isner's feet that the tall American couldn't handle. With that Johnson took a 5-3 lead and soon served out the set.
In the final set, both men stayed on serve with each other with neither able to get a look at a break point. That soon meant a final set tiebreak would be needed to determine the winner.
The tiebreak proved a tense and compelling mini-match of its own with Johnson looking the fresher in the rallies. Johnson would take the lead for 5-3 after hitting a low return at Isner who was up at net. Isner couldn't handle it giving Johnson the advantage.
Johnson soon held two match points at 6-4. In the night's best rally, Isner managed to defend from the backcourt and forced Johnson to attempt a winning forehand winner that he instead sent well wide. Isner then fired down a 137 MPH ace to level the breaker at 6-all.
With Isner firing down another ace for 141 MPH, the veteran American took the lead. It was now up to Johnson to not only match Isner's serve but try and find a way to get Isner's massive deliveries back in court.
Isner, however, would get the opening himself at 9-all. Isner pounced on a short Johnson second serve and then raced to net to knock off a crosscourt volley.
Now with his own third match point, but his first on his own serve, Isner would not blink. Firing off one final huge serve, Isner finally could celebrate the hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(9) victory.
Isner now returns to the D.C. final for the third time in his career since doing so in 2007 and 2013 and will face Kei Nishikori. He is attempting to become the first American to win the title since Andy Roddick in 2007. Isner is also trying to win his second straight ATP title in two weeks having won Atlanta last week.