By Joe McDonald | Saturday, September 1, 2018

 

For the second straight Slam, John Isner will face Milos Raonic in a battle of titanic servers.

Photo credit: Miami Open

NEW YORK—The tallest man still standing in the field certainly doesn't make it easy. Does he?

But then again, no matter how long of a match, John Isner is coming out on top at the US Open.

US Open: Day 6 Live Blog

This time, Isner rocketed 34 aces edging Dusan Lajovic, 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5 to advance to his second straight Slam showdown with fellow big banger Milos Roanic.

“It was a tough match,” Isner said. “Every time I've played him, it's always been tough. I expected that tonight. But I'm happy to get through in four sets. I was out there for more than three hours. It was a pretty long match. All in all, I think physically I feel pretty good, so that's a good sign going forward.”

And good for American tennis.

Long John seems to be the last American man standing here as the tournament goes along, while several U.S. women take aim at the title.

The former all American at Georgia has a simple explanation for the gender gap.

“They're better,” he said “Their results have proven that. Some of us break through and win a bunch of slams...

"None of us are going to win 20-some slams like Serena. On the American side of things, the women's side has so many good players. Two legends still going right now, then Sloane and Madison right behind them. The women. As I said, rightfully so.”

But still Isner plays on and now faces dangerous Canadian Raonic for a berth in the quarterfinals.

The 25th-seeded Raonic ripped 14 aces and did not drop serve defeating 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3. 

At Wimbledon, Isner fended off Raonic, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-3, to reach his first major semifinal.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Raonic says there are no strategic secrets between two massive servers. 

"I think we're both quite aware of what the other guy wants to do," Raonic said. "We're both aware that opportunities are not going to be that often arising. It's going to be important to be disciplined and to make sure you sort of are always getting there, giving yourself some kind of situations, that you're disciplined and sharp with yourself when those situations arise."

The 11th-seeded Isner has won four of five meetings with Raonic with at least one tie break set in all five encounters.




“I haven't really seen him play, but I've seen his results,” Isner said of Raonic. “He seems to be playing very well. I think back to his level of a few years past. I mean, I have the utmost respect for him. I think he's an excellent player, he's proved that his whole career.

“It will be a tough match certainly. We've played a handful of times. Matches between us are inherently close, as you can imagine. But we'll see what happens.”

It’s a good bet it will be a long match.