By Jayita Belcourt
Amidst sweltering conditions at Kooyong tennis club in Melbourne Australia, USA’s Jack Sock and John Isner took on the host nation in their first round matchup of the Davis Cup for the countries 46th meeting and first clash in 17 years. With newly retired tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt taking on the reigns as the new Australian Davis Cup caption against fellow USA counterpart Jim Courier, the event was staged to be electric.
As to script, the day came to a close at 1-1 with USA’s higher seed John Isner clinching the first match against Australia’s Sam Groth 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 and Australia’s top seed Bernard Tomic securing the second match 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 against USA’s Jack Sock.
Clearly elated with the results, Isner who is ranked number 11 in the world, says he was tested in the first set and believes his serving and confidence was pivotal to the win against the world number 77.
“Anytime you win a match you’re on cloud nine. Anytime you win a match in a situation like this, you know, you feel like you’ve got a lot of confidence and on the flipside, maybe not so much. I mean exactly a year ago I lost a heartbreaker against a player ranked way below me in Scotland. So Davis Cup is very testing and very trying so at this point it’s more mental than anything,†Isner said.
“I was down 0-40 at 2-2 in the first set and those three points are essentially set points,†the American said. “To climb out of that and then play a great tie-breaker, I had a lot of momentum from that point forward and I think it showed.â€
“I got rid of those nerves in the first set and I got used to seeing the serve out there, so I became a lot more comfortable after that first set and I think it showed right away. I believe I broke the first game of the second set. So it was a very, very good performance for meâ€.
Unfortunately for world number 24, Jack Sock, who faced a very in-form Bernard Tomic on the Aussie’s favourite surface, left the court despondent following his loss to the world number 20. Notwithstanding, the young gun remains optimistic the weekend will turn in his favour despite being outclassed by the Aussie.
“[There’s] things I did well throughout the match that gave me confidence out there, some things I need to work on for sure, you know, going into Sunday,†the 23 year old said.
“I’ve played him [Tomic] on some slow hardcourts and some other hardcourts where you know my style definitely matches up well against and you know, his favourite surface is grass. His best results, you know, in the Slam are on grass and very crafty out there and his game is suitable for itâ€.
“Bernie played some good tennis today when he needed to and came up with some good shots and, I’ll just take away you know the things I need to work on from that and take it into Sunday.â€
Tennis legend Jim Courier was not keen to speculate what may unfold come Sunday when the two nations meet for the decider, but remained proud of the efforts of his crew and hopeful of a strong performance in the doubles matchup that included Lleyton Hewitt in the mix.
“To Jack’s credit he hung in there down two sets to love, made it a contest and just slipped away pretty quickly there at the very end, but obviously we were very much in it deep in that fourth set. So we’re one all, and we’re ready to keep battling,†Courier said.
“Bob and Mike Ryan seem to be at advantage in the historical count of doubles in Davis Cup, but every day is a different day. You know, they’ve played awfully well. We feel confident in them, but, you know, again, they’ve lost matches in Davis Cup too. We don’t take anything for granted, we’ll be ready to go, but, you know, I love having them on our sideâ€.
“During the week we were not thinking Lleyton would not be playing in the squad, and with him up on the grass he will be a tough one to beat. But we’ll be readyâ€.
And surely they were, with the Bryan Brothers taking down Aussie Lleyton Hewitt and John Peers in an epic five setter 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 to secure one more tally for the USA side.
Bernard Tomic will now meet John Isner and Sam Groth is expected to play Jack Sock for the final day decider. However, it remains unclear whether Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt make step in again and replace Sam Growth in the matchup against Sock.
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Bryan · March 5, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Yeah my man John Isner curb stomped Sam Groth. It wasn’t just a serving battle, checkout how John’s return game and volleys have improved.
Sock as usual showed his talent and mental weakness. The guy has such an amazing forehand and top spin he should be top 20 at this point. I’m starting to question if he’s too soft.
Anyhow, hope John makes it a 3-0 win over Tomic and we close this tie out fast. It’s a long flight to Indian Wells with little rest.
Scoop Malinowski · March 5, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Bryan: I always see Isner as a nightmare for anyone – when he is on his game he can beat any man and he has proven this time and time again – ha few bad losses here and there in smaller events but every top player has them in these times as there are so many dangerous floaters out there – Isner fights so well and will never tank a point let alone a match – I still believe Isner’s best moment is coming –
Andrew Miller · March 5, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Isner d. Tomic in 4. Captain Courier sigh of relief heard an ocean away. Sock saved…from himself by not having to face Sam Hewitt or Lleyton Groth.
Andrew Miller · March 5, 2016 at 9:54 pm
A very fine report from Jayita. Sock seems pretty clear eyed, a little too easy on himself. Knowing tennis I’m sure he will want to get one back on Tomic when they play next…probably on the dirt.
Bryan · March 6, 2016 at 12:47 pm
“Isner fights so well and will never tank a point let alone a match – I still believe Isner’s best moment is coming.”
True. Win or lose Isner always goes out swinging, which is one of the reasons he’s my favorite. I also believe his big moment is coming. Fact he’s still improving and this year the top 6 is looking more fragile than usual could be an opening.
Andrew Miller · March 6, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Bryan’s right. Isner, Bryans show there’s a ton left in the tank. Courier comes away from the tie looking like a genius, even moreso with the surface controversy thing. Australia looks hobbled – by youth.
Bottom line. This easily could have been Kyrgios’ stuffing the U.S. 2-0 in his matches with Tomic throwing in a win over Sock and Australia announcing game over. Isner smashed all of that and the Bryans threw in a win over Hewitt for good measure.
U.S. goes from also ran to a favorite for Davis Cup this year. And Isner looks ready to Isner-ize players in the U.S. masters tournaments coming up this month in IW and Miami. I used to call it the Lipton.
Andrew Miller · March 6, 2016 at 3:23 pm
And I was wrong about the Bryans. I thought Courier should dump them for this tie (and future ties) – but Courier was prudent, looked at their record and said no doubt, these guys come to play when it comes to the cup. It could have been U.S. 1-2 heading into a must win for Isner. With the 2-1 score, Isner was freed-up to play his game without worrying.
Dan Markowitz · March 6, 2016 at 3:50 pm
C’mon, Izzie should be applauded for winning the two matches, but he’s reached one quarters in his entire slam career. One! That’s Vince Spadea territory. If he reaches a slam semis, it’ll be very surprising.
Scoop Malinowski · March 6, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Bryan – Isner’s serve is so deadly – and you wonder that it is possible that he can get in a groove and strike three or four aces a game – it’s conceivable he could get in that zone and just ace through a major fortnight – and if not quite that he has the sufficient baseline game and fighting spirit to back up that serve – even yesterday at the end of the third set – look how hard he forced Bernie to earn that set – such a fighter –
Andrew Miller · March 6, 2016 at 11:11 pm
I think Isner took care of business. He usually does well at the u.s. Masters tournaments and maybe he’ll get a confidence bump from Davis Cup. I agree , commend him on getting the job done, no fuss. He is still the best u.s. player, but Sock probably needs to look over his shoulder especially because Courier isn’t dropping the Bryans. I thought he should, but they won and there isnt a doubles threat outside of Sock who can play singles. Fish if he were still in his prime.
The u.s. has had a respectable February and March so far with the decent showing in small north American tournaments and the Davis cup. I’m cautiously optimistic. If this keeps going I might have to make an outlandish prediction of an all u.s. French open final, like Sloane Stephens vs Serena for the trophy.
Andrew Miller · March 6, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Or Isner, French Open finalist. You heard it here first.