By Chris Oddo | Friday April 8, 2016
John Isner took out Hyeon Chung in straight sets to set up an all-American semifinal with Jack Sock at Houston.
Photo Source: U.S. Men's Clay Court
Three of the last four U.S. Men’s Clay Court champions reached the semifinals on Friday, including a pair of Americans that are set for a showdown on Saturday.
More: Former Champion Monaco Downs Querrey to Reach Semis
Top-ranked American and 2013 champion John Isner won his 298th ATP-level match by taking down 19-year-old Hyeon Chung, 7-6(5), 6-4. The hard-serving American improves to 10-6 on the season and sets up a seventh career meeting with his friend and fellow American Jack Sock.
Isner hammered 14 aces and saved all seven break points against Chung to reach his first semifinal of the year. The Georgia native came away impressed by the South Korean after their first meeting. “He’s only going to get better, he’s only going to get stronger, he’s going to make all his shots better. At 19 years old, he’s got such an incredible ceiling right now.”
Defending champion Sock capped off a long day that featured Americans in all four quarterfinals for the first time since 2003 by easing past Marcos Baghdatis, 6-4, 6-4. “I love it here,” said Sock, who has now won 14 straight sets at Houston. “It’s kind of like a second home after last year was so special for me, so I’ll definitely be back for many more years.”
Sock broke early in both sets, dropped only two first-serve points and saved the only break points he faced to win his first career meeting with Baghdatis.
He will face Isner for the seventh time on Saturday, while Feliciano Lopez will face 2012 champion Juan Monaco in the other semifinal.
“It’s never easy playing a friend,” said Sock. “I’ll definitely have to play very well—serve very well and take care of my serve—to have a chance.”
Isner holds the 4-2 lifetime edge against Sock, including victories in their last three meetings.
Lopez leads Monaco 4-2 in the pair’s head-to-head, and has also taken the pair’s last three meetings.