LONDON (AP) – American John Isner fought off the challenge of former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro to win 7-6 (2), 6-4 and reach the second round at Queen’s Club on Wednesday.
His 25 aces brought his total for the year to 513, more than any other player on the ATP Tour, and he appeared to master the slippery surface better than his Argentine opponent.
After falling early in the match Isner settled, but del Potro fell at 4-3 in the second set and then again at 4-4 and that appeared to make him a little more cautious with his movement in the final stages.
Neither player earned a break point in the opening set but Isner had to overcome a total of six break points in the second before a break at 4-4 left him serving for victory.
“As the match progressed, I definitely started feeling a lot more comfortable out there,” said Isner. “I figured it could be a very close match and it was. You know, it definitely came down, just as a lot of my matches do, came down to a few points here or there.”