The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FORMER UGA STAR ISNER FALLS IN QUARTERS
NEW YORK — In conditions that felt more like an oppressive 23,000-seat steam room than the largest tennis stadium in the world, John Isner’s bid to make history came up short Tuesday.
The former Georgia Bulldog was attempting to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2006 to reach the U.S. Open semifinals, but instead No. 11 Isner succumbed to No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the quarterfinals in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match lasted 3 hours, 31 minutes.
Temperatures during the match reached the mid-90s, and despite having an open roof, Ashe Stadium felt like a sauna. Like many players during this tournament, Isner wore an ice vest during changeovers. He changed his shirt 11 times. And at times during the second set, the 6-foot-10 Isner staggered because of the brutal heat.
“Tough conditions out there, no doubt,” Isner said, “but I wish I could have done a little bit better out there.”
Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, advanced to play the winner between defending champ and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 9 Dominic Thiem in the semifinals Friday.
“I’m so happy to reach another semifinals in my favorite tournament,” del Potro said in his on-court interview. “And of course beating John in these kind of matches is like an epic match. We’re both tired in the end. We both fight all the match and I think I survived with my serves in a couple of important moments of the match and that was the only key.”
Del Potro improved to 8-4 against Isner and has won their past five encounters, all on hard courts. Isner, 33, also was bidding to make his second Grand Slam semifinal of the summer, having reached that round at Wimbledon before losing to Kevin Anderson. Isner also captured his first Masters 1000 title in March in Miami, and then last month won the BB&T Atlanta Open for the fifth time in six years.
Of course, becoming the first American since Roddick to reach the semis at his home Slam would’ve been special. “I do know (Roddick) is always rooting for us players to break through,” Isner said. “It has been a very long time. I guess I came pretty close this year. I don’t have many more chances. We will see what happens next year.”
There is good news ahead for Isner: His wife, Maddy, is due with their first child, a daughter, on Sept. 22. Had he reached the semifinals, he would’ve gotten closer to the due date, but he insisted he wouldn’t miss the birth of his daughter. “As long as that baby’s still in her belly, I’ll be here,” Isner said after his last win Sunday.
Looking ahead, Isner won’t play for the U.S. in the Davis Cup semifinals next week in Croatia, but left the door open that he could play in the Laver Cup in Chicago later this month. Mostly, he will focus on his growing family.