Isner to face Aussie qualifier in final

Top seed John Isner blasted 15 aces to defeat fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday, booking an ATP Hall of Fame Open final against Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden.

Isner did not face a breakpoint in three matches last week on the grass at Newport, Rhode Island, as he goes for his 11th career title and third Hall of Fame crown after 2011 and 2012.

“I’ve played three matches and six sets and I haven’t played a tiebreaker — I can’t remember the last time I did that,” Isner said.

Ebden, the lowestranked ATP finalist of the year at 249th, downed Germany’s 131st-ranked Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 6-3 in the other semi-final.

The 29-year-old South African-born former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, appearing in his maiden ATP semi-final, needed just 62 minutes to advance.

“This is pretty cool,” Ebden said. “I can’t believe it. I’m obviously very happy. Definitely couldn’t be happier, not only winning but getting lots of matches.”

Isner, whose most recent ATP title came at Atlanta in 2015, made his first final since last November’s Paris Masters, where he lost to Britain’s top-ranked Andy Murray.

More aggressive

The lanky 32-year-old credits work on being more aggressive on his return game for faster finishes than his trademark hard serves typically produce.

“There’s no other way I should have to play. I should be aggressive. It’s easier said than done,” Isner said.

He likes the extra rest as well, noting the benefits to such stalwarts as world No. 1 Andy Murray of Britain and Serbia’s fourth-ranked Novak Djokovic. “I feel good,” Isner said.

“To be like Murray and Djokovic and win these matches 2 and 2, it’s great.”

Men’s singles semi-finals:

1-John Isner (US) beat Bjorn Fratangelo (US) 6-2 6-4; Matthew Ebden (Australia) beat Peter Gojowczyk (Germany) 6-3 6-3.