A Winner in Isner?

After dealing with a disappointing loss to Kevin Anderson in the semi final of Del Ray Beach, John Isner stormed back in Indian Wells. 

He came to full attention in the semi final against the world number one, Novak Djokovic.  Isner came through in a thrilling encounter that went to three sets and lasted two hours and 45 minutes, where Isner was able to take his chances to win 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(5).  Isner used his height to his advantage firing down 20 aces.  His forehand backed his phenomenal serve up and he was able to finish the points quickly against the relentless Djokovic.  This win takes Isner up to a career high of number 10 in the rankings. 



American John Isner

Isner then faced Roger Federer in the finals of the Masters 1000 event which would see him become the American number one, going into eighth place above Mardy Fish if he was to win.  This was not to be as the master that is Federer beat him 7-6(7), 3-6.  The American fought gallantly earning a set point and saving a few of Federer’s own opportunities. 

Isner had beaten Federer in the Davis Cup a few weeks ago, but Federer made sure that he would take revenge.   The Swiss world number three exploited his movement, although much improved was not going to get him to some of the brilliant drop shots that Federer was displaying.  Federer also showed off his own serving skills serving down the tee on the deuce side making Isner feel uncomfortable when trying to run round it to play a forehand. 

Clearly there are things that Isner needs to work on to stay in the top 10 and beat the top players more consistently, but at 26 he has the desire to improve and become a more complete player and challenge the top four guys regularly on the tour. 

Murray out of Indian Wells

Andy Murray had such a promising start to the season with a run to the finals in Dubai, after losing in an epic semi final match to the world number one Novak Djokovic, that it did not seem at all likely that Murray would stumble out of the draw in his first match at Indian Wells for a second year in a row. 

Murray looked to have overcome his demons after another heartbreaking loss at the first grand slam of the year when he beat Djokovic in Dubai.  But today he was upset by Spaniard Guilermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 6-2. 

The Spaniard is currently ranked 92^nd but managed to break the Scott twice in the second set to seal the match in one hour and 40 minutes.  Garcia-Lopez stuck the ball sweetly moving Murray around the court soaking up Murray’s errors on both wings.  He will now play Ryan Harrison in the next round.  Murray on the other hand will travel to Miami hoping to bring his game together for the next event.    

Djokovic eased through to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Andreev Golubev and will now play Kevin Anderson who has just won his second career title at Delray Beach.  Tomas Berdych also advanced but had it tougher, having to close the match in three sets against Sergiy Stakhovsky.  Rafael Nadal returns to the game after having a month out to play Leonardo Mayer.   

Indian Wells, California

 On the women’s side of the draw Caroline Wozniacki demolished Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-0 although still insisted on her father coming onto court after winning the first set.  She has done enough at this event to secure her top five ranking for another week.  Maria Sharapova made light work of Gisela Dulko with the same score line and will now take on Simona Halep.  The new world number one Victoria Azarenka had a tougher route through against promising player Mona Barthel winning 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(6).     

 

Azarenka and Djokovic emerge victorious down under

The women’s champion was decided with Azarenka dispatching her Russian opponent Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in a very one sided match.  She lost the first two games of the final but managed to get back on track with ferocious baseline winners and powerful serving.  Sharapova could only compete with the decibel levels as her racket gave to many unforced errors which ultimately led to her undoing.  Her wait for another grand slam lives on.  But for Victoria Azarenka she won her first grand slam and is the new number one with Caroline Wozniacki dropping down to fourth position. 

It was not as straightforward for Novak Djokovic as it took him five hours and 53 minutes to retain his Australian Open crown.  It was the pair’s 30^th meeting and ended up being the longest match in the tournament s history.  Djokovic managed to come through 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5.  Nadal had his chances, none more so than when he was a break up in the final set and at 30- 30, when he missed a straightforward backhand down the line.  It turned out to be the most crucial point in the match as Djokovic managed to break back and seal the set and the match.     

Top seeds go through to Melbourne semis

Petra Kvitova booked her place in the semi final with a win over Sara Errani.  It was a tough match which saw the erratic Czech go 4-1 down in the second set making 44 unforced errors.  She managed to get through the match winning 6-4, 6-4 and is still in with a chance of the number one spot.  Kvitova will now face Maria Sharapova who beat her fellow Russion Ekaterina Makarova who had stunned Serena Williams in the round before.  But for Sharapova it was very straightforward winning 6-2, 6-3. 

Andy Murray dominated his match against Japans Kei Nishikori strolling into the semis with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win, ending Nishikori’s successful run at the Australian Open.  Fatigue seem too show with the 22 year old Japanese failing in the third and what proved to be the final set.  He will now face the reigning champion Novak Djokovic who suffered with a leg strain and breathing difficulties in his match against Spain’s David Ferrer coming through 6-4, 7-6, 6-1.  Djokovic spent two hours and 44 minutes on court participating in some long epic rallies.  It will now be a rematch of last year’s final for Djokovic and Murray. 

Roddick retires, Djokovic advances

Lleyton Hewitt continues his run at the Australian open with a win against rival Andy Roddick, after the American retired after winning the 1^st set.  His movement was hampered due to an injury which meant he could not carry on in front of the Rod Laver Arena; the score finished at 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 ret.  Another upset developed when the Serb Victor Troicki losing in 5 sets to Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. 

Novak Djokovic fared better than his compatriot easing into the 3^rd round with the loss of just 5 games.  Andy Murray also went through comfortably winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.   Number 5 seed David Ferrer had to battle his way through against Ryan Sweeting eventually winning 6-7(4), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. 

Top seeds had to battle hard in the women’s game too with Kvitova beating Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.  Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams both went through in straight sets with Sharapova looking incredibly dominant over both of her opponents so far. 

London's Calling

The top 8 players and teams have been finalised and they are heading to London for the ATP Tour World Finals and today the groups were announced. 

Group A                                                                                                                       Group B

Novak Djokovic                                                                                                             Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray                                                                                                                 Roger Federer

David Ferrer                                                                                                                  Jo Wilfred Tsonga

Thomas Berdych                                                                                                           Mardy Fish

I think the two that make it out of each group will depend on injuries.  It has been a long hard season for all 8 with Djokovic, Nadal and Fish all pulling out of last week’s Paris Masters so we will have to wait and see how ready they will be.  This is why I think Murray has a real chance to win this year as he has had a fantastic end to the season.  Even though he lost to Berdych in the Semis in Paris this will fire up his determination and remind him that he can be beaten by everybody in this final 8.  Tsonga could be the dark horse of the competition, he made it to the final in Paris with the help of the French crowed; but the English love him to with his magnificent showing at Queens adn Wimbledon this summer.  But again his progress through Group B could depend on any injuries that the players have sustained in the past few weeks.