Isner fires 20 aces to blast into semis

AFP, WASHINGTON: US top seed John Isner blasted 20 aces Friday in defeating compatriot Dennis Novikov 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the ATP Hall of Fame Open semi-finals.

Isner, ranked 21st, never faced a break point in the 73-minute triumph to book a Saturday date against countryman Bjorn Fratangelo on the grass at Newport, Rhode Island.

“Just one of those matches on a surface like this, with two pretty good servers, that's how it can go - you just get one break and you try to hold onto it. That's what I did,” Isner said.

“I felt like in the second set I could have extended it to a two-break lead but a lot of times one break is all I need so I'm happy to get off the court in pretty quick fashion so I'll be ready to go tomorrow.”

Isner fires 20 aces to blast into semis

AFP, WASHINGTON: US top seed John Isner blasted 20 aces Friday in defeating compatriot Dennis Novikov 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the ATP Hall of Fame Open semi-finals. Isner, ranked 21st, never faced a break point in the 73-minute triumph to book a Saturday date against countryman Bjorn Fratangelo on the grass at Newport, Rhode Island. Just one of those matches on a surface like this, with two pretty good servers, thats how it can go - you just get one break and you try to hold onto it. Thats what I did, Isner said. I felt like in the second set I could have extended it to a two-break lead but a lot of times one break is all I need so Im happy to get off the court in pretty quick fashion so Ill be ready to go tomorrow.