Isner Taking It One Match At A Time

By Joe McDonald

John Isner plays against Xavier Malisse 2012 US Open

(August 30, 2012) -- Note to the US Open: don’t give John Isner a night match next Wednesday.

He’s busy. It’s the opening of the NFL Season.

“I hope to still be here a week from today,” he said. “But, you know, obviously tennis does come first. If I have to play a match on Wednesday night, I'll catch some highlights on ESPN.”

You see tennis is his business, while football is his passion and at this time of year he gets very pumped for the opening of all football seasons.

“That's my favorite time of the year,” he added “I've been trying to digest all of that, whether it be on college, especially the Georgia Bulldogs, the Carolina Panthers.

“Those are my two teams. That's who I follow religiously. When the tour goes over to Asia and Europe, especially in Asia, I don't sleep too well because I can't sleep because my mind's running when Georgia is playing and Carolina is playing.”

Well that’s next week’s problem. Isner has to get through this week, but so far, so good with a gritty performance again Xavier Malisse, 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6.

“I knew the match today was going to be tough,” he said. “You know, a lot of people are projecting me to go far here, but I wasn't looking past this match. As you guys could see, I had my hands full. He doesn't mind playing me. He's played me well in the past and he did it again today.

“Got to a certain point there where it was anyone's match. I just got pretty fortunate at the end.” “I'm happy to move on. Very happy. I think I can play better. That's obviously the objective here. But, you know, as for right now I'm just happy to get through.“

After winning his hometown match last week in Winston-Salem, NC, Isner arrived here on Sunday night. It didn’t give him any time to get ready for the Open, but he prefers it that way. Simply put, it’s better to compete, than practice.

“That's what I didn't do this year,” Isner said. “I didn't do it last year as well. I won that tournament last year also. But in the past when I have played my best at a Grand Slam, it's from playing well the week before. When I won I first ever tournament in Auckland, I arrived in Melbourne very late and I played very well there. I arrived late here last year and played well; same thing has happened this year.

“So for me, you know, I felt like I'm prepared. I just didn't do my preparation here, which is how I like it.”

This is the year many are predicting Isner to move pretty far at the Open. He is seeded ninth, meaning he is the highest seeded American and with a hot summer and he is expected to make the second week and then from there is anyone’s guess.

It’s just that anything less would be a disappointment and maybe, some think a setback for the 27 year-old American.

“For me, my goal every Grand Slam, my first goal, is to get to the second week” Isner said. “ From there, I'll just take it from there. I know for me the opening matches are always very tough. But that being said, I never overlook any opponent. I didn't even know who I was playing in my second round until about an hour ago. I don't really look at the draw. I just focus on who I have at hand and try to go about it that way.

“You know, I try not to look too far ahead. I have done that in the past and it hasn't worked for me.”

And he didn’t look past Malisse, the zany Belgian, who Isner had literally eating the ball in the last tiebreaker.

After that, Isner is hopeful the draw will be friendly.

“I try not to focus on it too much,” he said. “I feel like I have done a better job, especially this year when situations have come up like that where it seems like I may have a good draw, I may have an opening. I don't look ahead. I just focus on who my next match is.”

But just don’t schedule him next Wednesday. The Giants will be playing the Cowboys that night.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)