By Tennis Now | Wednesday, July 31, 2019
John Isner drilled 14 aces and denied all six break points he faced defeating Hubert Hurkacz, 6-4, 6-4, to roll into the Washington, D.C. second round.
John Isner returned to his ATP launching pad and lit up the place with missiles.
Isner drilled 14 aces and denied all six break points he faced defeating Hubert Hurkacz, 6-4, 6-4, to roll into the Washington, D.C. round of 16.
More: Djokovic Makes Changes
The fifth-seeded American posted his fifth win in his last six matches.
Isner, who captured his 15th career championship on the grass of Newport earlier this month, fought off four break points in his opening service game.
The former all-American at Georgia saved two more break points holding for 2-all.
Hurkacz missed a passing shot dropping serve in the ninth game. Isner served out the opening set at love.
Three-time Washington D.C. runner-up Isner broke for a 2-1 second-set lead then powered 16 of the last 19 points on his serve wrapping up an 80-minute victory.
Thirteen of Isner's 15 career titles have come on American soil.
The American No. 1 will play either 10th-seeded Frenchman Benoit Paire or New Zealand qualifier Marc Polmans for a quarterfinal spot.
Lucky loser Norbert Gombos gained main-draw entry when Kevin Anderson withdrew. Gombos extended his stay surprising Adrian Mannarino, 6-4, 7-6 (9).
No. 9-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame American Reilly Opelka, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
The 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime will face former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the round of 16.