By Tennis Now | Sunday, July 21, 2019

 

Top-seeded John Isner defeated Alexander Bublik, 7-6 (2), 6-3, on the grass of Newport becoming the first man to win four Hall of Fame Open titles.

Photo credit: International Tennis Hall of Fame

John Isner made Hall of Fame history.

Isner defeated Alexander Bublik, 7-6 (2), 6-3, on the grass of Newport becoming the first man to win four Hall of Fame Open titles.

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The top-seeded Isner, who was runner-up to Roger Federer at the Miami Open, earned his first title of the season.

Contesting his first ATP final, Bublik broke first in the 11th game and served for the opening set at 6-5, but Isner broke back to force the tie break.

Isner powered out to a 5-0 lead in the breaker before Bublik used the underhand serve to get on the board. 

The 34-year-old Isner captured his 15th career title and first since the birth of his daughter, Hunter, on September 15th.

 "My very first ATP Tour event was here in 2007 and I didn't enjoy the courts that much back then because I didn't know how to play on them," said Isner. "To say that I've won this event four times isn't something I thought would be possible."