An ATP elite is no longer and ATP elite when he stops beating top players. John Isner doesn’t have that identity crisis in 2017. Not after today’s round of sixteen thrashing of Stan Wawrinka in Rome in straight sets.
The 32 year old Isner has had an average year to date, going 8-8 on the season and coming off a heartbreaking 76 in the third loss to Ernesto Escobedo in Houston in his most recent tournament.
But as he has so often shown throughout his career, Isner rebounds well after tough losses or slump periods. And like a cobra strike, the resilient Isner can suddenly spark a resurgence seemingly out of nowhere.
In Rome this week, the ATP World No. 24 beat Vinolas Ramos, Florian Mayer and today ATP World No. 3 Wawrinka 76 64. It’s the third win vs Wawrinka for Isner against one loss 64 64 in Tokyo way back in 2009.
Isner’s previous two wins over Wawrinka were six and seven years ago, 75 75 in Belgrade in 2010 and 67 75 76 in Paris Masters in 2011.
So today’s brilliant (and desperately needed) win by Isner was his third in a row over Wawrinka – and the first win over Wawrinka as an elite Grand Slam major champion (Wawrinka has won majors in each of the previous three years).
Next up for Isner in the Rome quarterfinals will be a date with the also suddenly revived Marin Cilic who holds a 6-1 career head to head edge over the veteran American.
Regardless of that result, Isner has once again confirmed he is still an ATP elite player, fully capable of defeating any ATP superstar on any given day.
And once again as we head into Roland Garros, you can be certain that a lot of top ATP top ten and seeded players will be hoping the name “John Isner” is not in their quarter or section of the draw.
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Dan Markowitz · May 18, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Good and unexpected win by Izzie. But the match of the day was Thiem’s three-set win against Qball. The third set breaker in this match was a gem. Q ball hit a running forehand pass to put himself up 6-5 I believe and he had four match points, two on his serve I think, to close out Thiem, but the Austrian stayed aggressive and tough and he took Qball off the court with his twisting angled one handed backhands.
Ball played valiantly, but he blinked at the end.Sock never had a chance against top-fom Nadal.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2017 at 6:34 am
Thiem lost in straight sets to QBall in Acapulco this yr so yes this is a very valuable win for the kid. I wonder if Thiem could actually shock the world in Paris? Beginning to think he can.
Hartt · May 19, 2017 at 7:07 am
Young Thiem is certainly getting lots of practice playing Rafa and that can only help him for the future, including Paris.
Chazz · May 19, 2017 at 9:52 am
Yes, as I said a couple weeks ago, Thiem can win the French Open this year. But only if (it’s a huge if) Nadal has a shocking loss to someone or gets injured. On clay you have to put Thiem right behind Nadal.
Andrew Miller · May 19, 2017 at 11:28 am
Isner semis! In Rome! Go Isner!
Halep polishes off Kontaveit!
Chazz · May 19, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I guess I should amend my previous thought now that Thiem has proven he can beat Nadal on clay. Thiem can win the FO regardless of whether Nadal gets beat along the way or gets injured!
Andrew Miller · May 19, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Thiem has to make French final first, and Nadal more likely to see this as a wake up call for the French Open.
Nonetheless: Huge result. Thiem may not even make the Rome final but a big win and a confidence booster.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Thiem is peaking. Rafa may have peaked too early. Im picking Thiem as the lead favorite to win Roland Garros. Thiem is in that unbeatable zone now after beating Rafa and saving three mps vs Querrey. Thiem is hitting rockets out there. Thiem will now have awe factor. Other players will look at him in awe.
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Isner scores another monster win vs Cilic. Isner was 1-6 h2h vs Cilic before today.
Hartt · May 19, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Today has been very interesting. So far the lower-ranked player has won each match – Isner over Cilic, Sascha Zverev over Raonic and Thiem over Nadal. So, the big question is: will Delpo prevail over Novak?