By Erik Gudris | Friday, August 7, 2015

 

John Isner and Steve Johnson will face off in an all-American semifinal at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

There will be an American man in the Citi Open final taking place in Washington. D.C. That's due to the efforts of John Isner and Steve Johnson in their respective Friday quarterfinal matches.

ATP: Cilic and Nishikori in US Open Final Rematch at D.C.

The No. 8 seed Isner was the heavy favorite in his quarterfinal against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis. Especially since he beat Berankis last week in Atlanta. And, at least for the first set, Isner looked ready to make it a short night.

Feeling his massive serve early, Isner gave himself more opportunities to try and break his opponent's own delivery. He did just that midway through the set to soon take a 4-1 lead.

Earning oohs and aahs from the crowd with several over 140 mph serves, Isner would close out the set 6-3.

Isner got more chances to break early in the second set but couldn't convert. That would become a growing frustation for the top American as he missed out three break point chances in the set.

Berankis took advantage by staying close and then breaking Isner at love to steal the set 7-5 and force a decider.

Isner roared back in the opening game of the third set by breaking Berankis with a sliding backhand winner that got the crowd to its feet. With Berankis' level fading, Isner took control of the set by breaking again for 3-0.

Berankis would get one of the breaks back, but it wasn't enough to halt Isner's momentum. Isner climbed to 5-3 and soon held a match point on Berankis' serve. Berankis sent a final forehand wide and with that Isner celebrated the 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win

This is now the fifth semifinal appearance for Isner in D.C. stretching back to his run to the final in 2007.

"I do take pride in being the No. 1 American,” Isner said on his upcoming match against Johnson. “These guys are kind of getting at my heels and they want to get into that spot as well. It’s definitely very competitive, but we’re all really good friends as well so for now, it’s definitely my spot.”

Johnson continued his impressive run during the week that saw him knock off seeded players in both Bernard Tomic and Grigor Dimitrov. 

Those wins put Johnson up against No. 15 seed and fellow American Jack Sock. The first set between the two home favorites was too close to call until a tiebreak was needed. From there, Johnson played more aggressive in taking the opening set.

Johnson then took control in the second set. Not facing a break point, Johnson broke the bigger serving Sock twice before running away with the set and the match 7-6(5), 6-1.

Johnson enters Saturday's semifinal full of confidence having beaten Isner at the same event last year.

“He’s meant a lot to my career, coming from college,” Johnson said on the upcoming match. “It’s fun going to battle against a guy who’s a great competitor.”