Nicole LaDuca/
BB&T Atlanta Open
The last quarterfinal match of the day featured two Americans, an up and coming teenage sensation, Jack Sock, and the top-ranked American, John Isner. At the start of the match, the young Sock appeared nervous as he was broken easily in his first service game. Isner raced out to a 4-1 lead before rain forced the match to be suspended for an hour. Sock, who was appearing in his first ATP quarterfinal match, could not have been more fortunate. Three aces and a drop shot winner helped him hold at love following the delay. “I really came out flat after the rain delay,” said Isner. “The rain took a little bit out of me.” At the 4-2 game, Sock found himself up 15-40 on Isner’s serve, and on his second break point, a long forehand by Isner helped Sock back into the match. Isner would have three set points at 5-6 when Sock uncharacteristically served three double faults. An ace, a long forehand error by Isner and a Sock drop shot would help Sock shake off the loose service game and force the first set to a tiebreak. After getting a quick mini break to lead 1-3, Sock double faulted twice. His mistakes helped Isner to a 3-6 lead. Two forehand winners and an overhead smash again wiped away three more set points for Isner. After a netted forehand by Sock at 7-7, Isner finally served an ace to finish off the first set on his seventh set point.
Although the second set featured easy holds from both players up until 4-4 all, it was a dog fight out there for both players. “We were both sweating like pigs,” said a tired Isner. Unfortunately for Sock, one break point at 30-40 would be the deciding factor in the second set. After a long forehand by Sock, Isner had his sights on the finish line. Serving for the match at 5-4, 130 mph serves and penetrating forehands helped Isner close the game out at love and win his quarterfinal match 7-6(7), 6-4. Isner who plays Roddick to determine the finalist in the BB&T Atlanta Open said, “It is obviously going to be a tough match. I know Andy has won nine of his last ten, and I have won seven matches in a row. So we are both playing pretty well.”