Isner Revives to Earn Late Night Win in Rome

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

(May 14th, 2012) After losing the first set tonight in his opening match at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, John Isner could probably hear the boos not only in Rome, but perhaps a few coming all the way back in the good ol' USA.

That's because Isner, who is back to being U.S. No. 1 this week, is facing a lot of expectation from American fans to do well at Roland Garros at the end of the month. Isner, after an opening round loss in Madrid last week, is hoping to build some momentum at this week's ATP Masters event in Rome, but after his dismal performance in the first set of his match tonight against Munich champion Phillip Kohlschreiber, some wondered if Isner would be packing his bags early again.

After a sluggish Isner dropped the first set 6-2, some of the fans in the almost empty main stadium booed Isner as he walked to his chair. Isner fell behind 3-5 in the second set, but a missed forehand from the German while he served for the match at 5-4 allowed Isner to break back and from there he claimed the second set in a tiebreak.

Now looking revived and engaged in the match, Isner broke Kohlschreiber to start the third set with help from another errant forehand by Kohlschreiber and that was all Isner needed to assume control as he later capped off a 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 win.

Isner wasn't the only player who struggled a bit in their first match back on red clay after last week's blue clay event in Madrid. Stanislas Wawrinka was pushed to the limit by Monte-Carlo quarterfinalist Robin Haase before the Swiss No. 2 prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. Australian hope Bernard Tomic also found himself in a dogfight against Santiago Giraldo until Tomic scratched out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.

Tomic will now face top seed Novak Djokovic tomorrow as Djokovic prepares to defend his Rome title from last year.

David Nalbandian didn't have much trouble against Albert Ramos as Nalbandian cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 win. Nalbandian now sets up an anticipated second round match against No. 4 seed Andy Murray who is back in action after having withdrawn from Madrid due to injury.