Big John Delivers
It took another three sets and and the inevitable tiebreak, but big American John Isner finally delivered on the promise he had shown 12 months ago, winning his first ATP singles title at the Heineken Open.
He took 2h 18m - the tournament's longest match and his fourth two-hour marathon of the week - to dispense with pesky French veteran Arnaud Clement 6-3 5-7 7
-6(2) in a fascinating contest of styles.
But Isner's run to the Panasonic Singles crown probably began at the 2009 tournament, where he came through qualifying to eventually fall in the quarterfinals, developing a strong fan following with his never-say-die efforts.
"Last year, I played five really tough matches," he reflected on his arrival in Auckland last week. "If I can do that this year, I will have made it to the final."
And so it proved.
"This is one of my favourite tournaments and I really wanted to come back here after last year," he reflected after his victory.
"I thought I had a legitimate shot at being a contender here, but I knew it was going to tough."
Neither player seemed prepared to take a backward step and when Isner had the first chance to break serve at 3-2 in the first set, Clement responded with three aces to save.
Perhaps that softened up the Frenchman, because he could not salvage his next service game and Isner served out the set, claiming it with his fifth ace.
The second went with serve and seemed headed for the tiebreak until Clement prised a break at 6-5 to claim the set. Isner admitted probably taking his eye off the ball, already looking ahead to a possible tiebreak.
He opened the third set with a break, Clement broke back immediately and actually seemed to be getting on top as his rival lost some rhythm in his play. Clement held a match point at 6-5, but could not capitalise.
"You know, I would rather win that game like I did than if I had won it to love," said Isner. "It gave me a lot of confidence to play pretty much a flawless tiebreaker.
The American seized an immediate edge in the tiebreak, Clement responded in kind, but Isner had three more points on his serve, the last - a crushing return into the backhand corner - the matchwinner.
"You know, you can win a match, you can lose a match, but the most important thing is to do your best on the day," rued Clement (32).
"I did my best and was very close to winning the match. It was very disappointing ... it's hard, but it's OK."
Isner made the most of his biggest weapon - his overpowering serve - sending down 22 aces and just two double faults, while connecting with with 73% of his first serves.
He had one more special delivery after the match when he announced to the media his intention to donate $US5000 to Red Cross for the Haiti earthquake relief fund.
"It was something I felt I could easily do and I plan on doing it in Australia as well," he said. "It makes you realise how lucky you are."
_8176 winner hein.jpg)
