By Erik Gudris/Saturday, January 11, 2014

 

John Isner, despite dealing with a sore ankle and an inspired opponent, walked away with his second career Auckland title.

Photo Credit: AP

John Isner entered the last day of the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand with more big match experience than his opponent. To start, the No. 3 seed had won the event before back in 2010.

But that didn't matter as Yen-Hsun Lu put on a bravura performance in his first ever ATP final.

Fresh off upsetting top seed and defending champion David Ferrer in the semis, Lu picked up where he left off with bold play from all sides of the court. The 30 year-old Lu sported a big smile on his face as he seemed to relish the breakthrough occasion in his career.

Isner often closed out his service games with well-timed aces. Lu countered by using crafty shotmaking to forced himself into a first set tiebreak.

But it was Isner who boomed down a big ace to close out the set 7-6(4).

Lu fell behind 0-40 on his serve twice in the second set. And the American looked poised to run away with the match. But Isner could not manage to secure the pivotal break both times. Though continuing to be bothered by a sore ankle, Isner kept up the relentless pressure on Lu as they once again entered a tiebreak.

With the crowd on his side, Lu jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. But Isner soon pulled even and went on to earn his first match point. Though Isner rushed the net in an attempt to close out the match, Lu came up with a stirring down the line running passing shot winner to level the breaker at 6-all that earned him a standing ovation.

Isner would miss out on a second match point. But a netted forehand volley a few points later from Lu would set up a third opportunity for Isner to claim the title.

A massive serve from the American that Lu couldn't handle sealed the 7-6(4), 7-6(7) victory and with it Isner's eighth career ATP title. It is also only his second title that he's won outside of the United States.

To claim the title was extra special for Isner who struggled all week in many of his matches.

"I wish it didn't have to be so close at the end, it gives me a lot of grey hairs!" Isner said to ATP.com "But I'm so happy. To say this was unexpected, coming into the tournament, would be a huge understatement. Sometimes that's how things work out. You come in with low expectations, the pressure's off, and things tend to work out. That was the case this week."

Isner now enters next week's Australian Open as the No. 13 seed.