4
Isner, Johnson, Kokkinakis to Play Newport
61 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
|
Defending Champion & Current World No. 9 John Isner to return to Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open this summer
Â
|
|
Isner is a 3-time champion at Newport’s ATP World Tour event. American Steve Johnson has also committed to compete and Australian rising star Thanasi Kokkinakis has been awarded a wild card into the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open this summer, which will be hosted July 15 – 22 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
|
 |
|
|
May 4, 2018 –Â Current world No. 9 and No. 1 American John Isner has committed to return to the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open as defending champion at this summer’s event. Isner is a 3-time champion in Newport, having won titles in 2011, 2012, and 2017. Fellow American Steve Johnson will also return to Newport, and a wild card has been awarded to Thanasi Kokkinakis- a rising star from Australia. All three players have had some huge wins this season, with Isner winning the biggest title of his career at the Miami Open, Johnson repeating as champion in Houston, and Kokkinakis (then world No. 175) knocking out world No. 1 Roger Federer in Miami.
“I always enjoy being in Newport in July,” commented Isner. “The Hall of Fame is a really special place to compete and the fans are always terrific. This has been an exciting season for me and I look forward to having Newport be part of it.” Earlier this season, Isner won his first ever ATP Masters 1000 singles title at the Miami Open. Isner entered the tournament ranked world No. 17 and defeated three top-10 players en route to the trophy- Marin Cilic, Juan Martin del Potro, and Alexander Zverev. The victory propelled Isner back into the world top-10 for the first time since May 2014. His win in Miami was preceded by another huge hard court victory when he won the doubles title at Indian Wells, partnered with fellow American Jack Sock.
Topping off hist recent victories, Isner hit a major career milestone in April in Houston when he served his 10,000th career ace. The record puts him in the company of just three others who have ever done so- Ivo Karlovic, Roger Federer, and Goran Ivanisevic. The ball that Isner served his 10,000th ace with was carefully set aside by the staff at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston and then sent to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where it is now displayed as a part of tennis history. “We’re looking forward to a great week of tennis in Newport, and John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Thanasi Kokkinakis will each bring a lot of energy and action to the competition. They have all seen some huge successes this year, and we’re thrilled to have them add Newport to their calendars,” stated International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin. Houston Champ Steve Johnson Making a Return to Newport Johnson returns to Newport for his fifth appearance, having twice been a quarterfinalist at the grass court event. Johnson is currently ranked world No. 55. Last month in Houston, Johnson won his third career title and second in Houston at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship. Both Johnson and Isner have also been part of this season’s successful US Davis Cup team, which is now heading to the Davis Cup semifinals in September. A Wild Card for Kokkinakis Kokkinakis will be making his first appearance in Newport, having been granted a wild card into the event. The 22-year-old from Australia is currently ranked world No. 152 and he has notched some big wins early in his career. In Miami in March, Kokkinakis came through qualifying, won his first round and then faced Roger Federer in the second round. He dropped the first set and then came back to take out the world No. 1 in three sets. Last season, Kokkinakis had a win over then world No. 6 Milos Raonic on the grass courts at Queen’s Club. In Los Cabos, he took out world No. 14 Tomas Berdych en route to his first final, where he fell to Sam Querrey. Tickets On Sale Now Tickets for the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open are on sale now on www.HallofFameOpen.com. In addition to seven days of exciting pro tennis, the tournament features kids tennis clinics, a fashion show, and other great special events. Highlights for this summer include an exhibition match featuring reigning US Open Champion & Finalist Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys on Friday, July 20; the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Michael Stich and Helena Sukova on Saturday, July 21; and Invesco Legends Newport featuring Jim Courier, Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt, and James Blake on Sunday, July 22. Tickets for all special events include access to that day’s tournament matches. ###
About the International Tennis Hall of Fame
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that preserves and promotes the history of tennis and celebrates its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis globally. The Hall of Fame is located in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States, but Hall of Famers hail from 23 nations around the world. The Hall of Fame honors these legends and chronicles the sport’s history in a comprehensive interactive museum in Newport and programming to celebrate the sport around the world. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame and its programs, visit www.tennisfame.com.
About the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open
Hosted on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open is the only ATP World Tour event played in the Northeast and the only pro tournament played on grass courts in North and South America. The 2018 tournament will be held July 15 – 22, 2018. In addition to exciting pro tennis, a highlight of the week will be the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony on July 21. For additional information, visit www.halloffameopen.com.
|
No tags
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 2 Next »Duke Carnoustie · May 4, 2018 at 12:36 pm
When you accept this invite, it lets me know that Isner is not planning to make a deep run at SW19. Shows a lot of his mentality to be 9 in the world and assuming he won’t get past the first week of a Slam.
Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Isner does well on the Newport grass. If he manages to go second week in Wimbledon or somehow reach the SF or F, it’s fair to assume he could pull out of Newport. But I think Isner is one of those players like Karlovic, Hewitt, Santoro, that likes to go to and play in Newport.
Dan Markowitz · May 4, 2018 at 1:01 pm
It’s all in the appearance fee. Izzie doesn’t get too many of them anymore.
Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Well, there are not too many American tournaments to give Isner, the top American, an appearance fee. Hopefully Isner will keep up the Connors theatrics that he showed in Miami that will propel him up the rankings and into American tennis fans hearts.
Dan Markowitz · May 4, 2018 at 10:10 pm
I think most people find Izzie pretty boring to watch. He’s definitely not my favorite, but I appreciate what he does out there. Sock had a chance to be the next electric player since Agassi, but he doesn’t win nearly enough. I think the last hope is really Tiafoe.
Duke Carnoustie · May 4, 2018 at 11:21 pm
Good point Dan, it’s the appearance fee. I don’t think that is money well spent by Newport. They should have tried for someone like Milos this year since he might be game. Maybe Shapo.
catherine · May 5, 2018 at 7:35 am
Tournament news: Kvitova bts Buzarnescu 3 sets in Prague and is off to Madrid to play Tsurenko tomorrow. But why is Petra wearing a miniature padlock around her neck ? Who has locked her up ? Who is wearing the key ?
I think we should be told 🙂
Scoop malinowski · May 5, 2018 at 7:38 am
Isner is boring? The man Is a walking miracle. Was Spadea boring?
Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2018 at 9:56 am
What do Izzie and Spadea have to do with one another other than both being American? Spadea wasn’t the most electric player ever that’s for sure and for most of his career he had little personality out on the court. What you get from Izzie is mostly serve, ace or serve forehand winner. There’s not a lot of grace or agility or finesse to his game. He shows some good emotion out there, but he’s not going to ever be a fan favorite like a Monfils or Tsonga or even a Tiafoe or Shapovalov. Izzie goes into the category of players led by Raonic, Qball and Dr. Ivo with maybe a Marc Rosset thrown in; he’s not an appealing big man like a Taylor Dent or a Fish. He’s like a bigger Andy Roddick although Roddick was much spicier.
Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2018 at 6:07 pm
It’s too harsh to label Isner as boring, he’s a miracle. That a seven footer can grind out on the baseline like he does, to beat guys like Fed twice, Rafa and Djokovic is an incredible achievement. Isner is one of the great fighters of the game. I once asked an ATP media rep which three players come to mind as the hardest to deal with after a loss? I remember his answer: Stepanek in singles, Melzer and Isner. In Miami this year Isner got a lot of support and it helped push him over the finish line. I was at his first round match vs Vesely, beginning of third set, Isner looked zapped but my buddy Harry Cicma tried to pump up Isner by yelling Cmon Bulldog! Let’s go Georgia! It seemed to spark him when he was looking dazed on the ropes. He won that and then rolled. Fans really got behind Isner in the QF vs Cilic, the semi vs Delpo and the final vs Zverev. Isner responds to positive crowd support. Spadea never really interacted with the fans and got them going like Isner sometimes does. He said his greatest tennis atmosphere were in college. Big vocal spirited crowds get Isner going. Isner gets the crowds going. Spadea never mastered that skill to fire up American fans, that I can remember. He played like an introverted robot.
Hartt · May 6, 2018 at 9:02 am
In Madrid Shapovalov defeated Sandgren in SS – 6-1, 6-4.
Duke Carnoustie · May 6, 2018 at 11:06 am
Clearly Makarova does not matchup with Halep. Four games won in four sets after she was routed in Madrid.
Sloane Stephens on court now.
Tough loss for Sandgren to Shapo in the Tennys-Denis matchup.
catherine · May 6, 2018 at 11:41 am
Osaka goes out to Chang.
Simona is wearing a tight top and short skirt and looks like she’s done a dye job on her old adidas outfits 🙂
Duke Carnoustie · May 6, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Foe goes down in a hostile Davis Cup-like atmosphere to Sousa in the final.
Who is the last American man to win a clay tournament in Europe? I have no idea.
Djoker v. Nishikori is tomorrow’s Madrid main course. I like Kei in straights.
Hartt · May 6, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Kvitova just won over Tsurenko easily – 6-1, 6-2. I thought Petra could be drained, both physically and emotionally, after her big win in Prague just a day ago. But she was in fine form, hitting the ball cleanly and playing aggressively, but with enough margin.
She could have a deep run in Madrid.
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2018 at 7:47 pm
Sandgren 0-4 since Houston. That Houston dogfight with Johnson took a toll on Sandgren, Johnson hasn’t played since I don’t think.
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2018 at 7:51 pm
Querrey won Queens a few years ago Duke, Johnson won one on grass before Wimbledon a few years ago. He broke a terrible slump and suddenly won his first title out of nowhere on grass.
Duke Carnoustie · May 7, 2018 at 2:06 am
Sandgren blew three match points in the Tiafoe match, that was his shot at a W.
My question was about an American winning on clay in Europe. Queens is on grass.
Duke Carnoustie · May 7, 2018 at 2:08 am
Johnson has been on honeymoon with Kendall Bateman since that tourney. I think he’ll be in Rome.
Hartt · May 7, 2018 at 8:47 am
Shapovalov creamed Sandgren in their match, winning in 54 minutes. He took the first set 6-1, and although the score for the 2nd set was 6-4, Denis was in control throughout. There was simply no comparison between the two players.
catherine · May 7, 2018 at 9:21 am
Hartt – that was a good result for Denis on clay, considering you’ve said clay is far from his best surface.
catherine · May 7, 2018 at 10:03 am
What looks like an interesting interview on Youtube with Martina Navratilova in Prague last week. I say ‘looks like’ because it was all in Czech of which language I can understand not one word.
Maybe Martina was doing some Fed Cup scouting – not sure where the US/Czech tie will be played – if in Prague Czechs will win, if US then no. Martina must feel a bit split – against any other country she’s a Czech, but not in USA (She has dual citizenship).
Hartt · May 7, 2018 at 11:52 am
Yes, regarding Denis. At least he wasn’t up against a clay-court specialist or a European player who has grown up on clay. His next match, against Paire, will be much tougher. But the encouraging thing about the match was that Denis showed some necessary patience, not always his long suit.
catherine · May 7, 2018 at 11:55 am
Wozniaki bts Barty in 3, neither played very well, lots of arguments over line calls. Woz will be lucky to win this.
Ashleigh seems to have hit some road bumps. She was puffing a lot at the changes – don’t know, maybe fitness ? Get a bit sleeker (no I’m not body shaming). Serve isn’t the weapon it was last year. Clay’s not her surface, so we’ll see.
I heard Kerber’s not playing until RG. If true, good decision. Rome has been the graveyard of many hopes and dreams……
Scoop malinowski · May 7, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Barty is very fit. Playing Wozniacki is always a marathon.
catherine · May 8, 2018 at 2:56 am
Georges was asleep for the first set against Arruabarrena and then woke up and won in 3 playing some lovely dropshots and cute net points. Little works of art.
Tennis for tennis’ sake – that’s Julia.
catherine · May 8, 2018 at 3:28 am
I’d rather watch 2 sets of Julia’s beautiful game than 50 of Pliskova/Azarenka etc.
And Julia’s select few fans feel likewise.
But no GSs in her future.
Hartt · May 8, 2018 at 9:05 am
Shapo just won a tough, hard-fought match against Paire, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. As a commie said, the match wasn’t always pretty, but there was some exciting tennis. Denis played the pressure points well. As he has said, Denis has ice in his veins.
catherine · May 8, 2018 at 9:39 am
Harrt – was just going to post about that. Good fight there.
Halep glided past Mertens, who was unwell I gather, left the court for a while. She can play better than the score.
Hartt · May 8, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Yes, apparently Mertens had already withdrawn from doubles because she was ill. A shame it had to happen now.
Kasatkina had an easy SS win over Cirstea, much to my delight.
Denis will play either Raonic or Dimitrov next. I have mixed feelings about a Denis vs Milos match. If it does happen, Milos should be very motivated to try to put the young pretender in his place.
Duke Carnoustie · May 8, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Jack Sock showing his true colors by getting blanked 6-0 in the decider against Cuevas. Embarrassing performance.
catherine · May 8, 2018 at 1:58 pm
And out goes Svitolina to Suarez Navarro – Svitolina has not progressed this year. If she’s not careful she’ll be overtaken by Kostyuk.
Duke Carnoustie · May 8, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Harrison improves to 6-0 vs. Garcia-Lopez. He faces Isner in round 2 – they played an epic 5-setter at RG one year.
Shapo gets Raonic or Grigor in a blockbuster showdown on the dirt.
Svitolina goes down.
catherine · May 8, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Svitolina v CSN great match played at a cracking pace – Carla fell over a couple of times, on last point too which she got up and won. Best competitive match I’ve seen so far. Spanish crowd ecstatic.
Hartt · May 8, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Milos just won a very close match against Grigor, so there will be a battle between 2 Canucks – Milos and young Shapo. I will be a total wreck watching that one.
Duke Carnoustie · May 8, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Wow what a moment for Canada. Milos the great Slam finalist vs. Shapo, the up and comer. One of the biggest matches in Canadian tennis history.
Some tough losses for Tsitsipas. A third-set TB in the semis to Sousa in front of a hostile crowd in Estoril, then the same fate in Madrid to Donskoy when his reward would have been a date with Sascha.
Hartt · May 8, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Milos vs Shapo reminds me a little of the Rogers Cup SF between Milos and Pospisil a few years ago. Milos was an established player, just outside the top 10, and Vasek seemed to come out of nowhere to have a deep run in that tourney, beating some strong players in the process. It was played in Montreal, and of course the Canadian fans were torn. Milos did prevail, but it was a close match.
I think Denis will be a bigger test for Milos, but Raonic will be very motivated to keep his place as the top Canadian player. It should be a major battle.
Scoop Malinowski · May 8, 2018 at 10:51 pm
vERY INTERESTED to see how Raonic handles Shapovalov. A loss could be devastating mentally. More pressure on Milos who should be able to prevail but Shapovalov is very hungry right now.
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 2:38 am
Konta goes out again v Pera – maybe Johanna’s keeping it all for W’don.
Simona has the easiest draw in the world in Madrid. Would be nice to see someone else win this year. Just to prove they can.
Scoop – I don’t think Denis will be devastated if he loses to Raonic. That’s part of growing up in tennis, losing to older players. If you’re really good you learn from it. Being a compatriot doesn’t matter.
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 2:53 am
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/05/08/andy-murray-likely-miss-entire-grass-court-season-despite-entry/
Don’t know if this comes with comments, but there was one suggesting a)ice baths are not a good thing and b) what modern racquets are doing to the body
Scoop Malinowski · May 9, 2018 at 8:09 am
Catherine. Agree but Raonic will be devastated by a loss to Denis. Losing to teens is devastating. Gulbis lost to Kokkinakis and it was all downhill from there. Woodforde lost four times to teen Hewitt in one year and it was all downhill from there.
Scoop Malinowski · May 9, 2018 at 8:18 am
They certainly aren’t natural and are a major shock to the body system. My guess is Murray overtrained for a lot of years and it’s caught up to him.
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 9:04 am
Scoop – sorry, I thought you meant Denis would be devastated. Raonic, yes, perhaps.
Agree re Murray. It’s generally considered the ‘block’ type training he did is not the best way, especially for a tennis player.
Hartt · May 9, 2018 at 9:22 am
Agree that the match between Raonic and Shapo is a bigger deal for Milos. He is the more established player and will be expected to win. The pressure on him will be immense, no way will he want to lose to the young pretender.
Hartt · May 9, 2018 at 9:24 am
Kohli just won a tight match over RBA. Bautista Agut served for the match, but Kohli got the crucial break, and won the third set 7-5. He is playing so well right now, especially for a 34-year-old.
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 9:28 am
Distresses me to say it but Julia G’s Beautiful Game is being mega-thumped by Garcia. Caroline has Ambitions.
Hartt · May 9, 2018 at 9:30 am
Catherine, thanks for the link. That is so discouraging. And the comment about training and style of play sounded only too true.
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 10:40 am
Edmunds bt Djokovic ! Cries of joy from UK – heaven know what from Djoko’s camp.
Stephens out to Pliskova.
Julia goes to Garcia – 8 aces and 5 dfs tells the story. Excuse – artists are allowed temperamental lapses. Seriously – Julia can play better than that, maybe not on clay.
Can Djokovic ?
catherine · May 9, 2018 at 10:43 am
Wozniaki goes as well.
Please please can someone beat Simona 🙂
Hartt · May 9, 2018 at 11:34 am
Felix just had an easy SS win over a Portuguese player, Oliveira, at a Challenger in Portugal. It can’t be fun to get creamed in front of your home fans, Oliveira just managed to avoid a bagel in the 2nd set. But Felix is simply in a different league.
At one time it looked like Raonic and Pospisil would be a Canadian rivalry, and then Vasek faded from the scene. The rivalry I am looking forward to is Felix vs Denis, and it just a matter of time before that one happens.