Isner Stops Del Potro Streak, Will Face Zverev For Miami Masters Title

by Staff | March 31st, 2018, 1:47 am
  • 50 Comments

Playing some of his best tennis, John Isner put a halt to Juan Martin del Potro’s 15-match win streak, overpowering the Argentine 6-1, 7-6(2) to reach his first career Miami Masters final.

The American who ripped through Marin Cilic and Hyeon Chung, continued to pound forehand and pound serves, relegating del Potro to a virtual spectator watching winners fly by.

“Things are just clicking. Look, if I’m returning well and getting in return games, that should bode well for me, given how I serve. Very happy it’s all sort of coming together right now,” Isner said. “I just know with my game, if I’m doing the right things, it doesn’t really matter who I’m playing. I’m going to be very tough to beat.”


Isner raced out to a quick 3-0 lead in the match over a weary-looking del Potro, and cruised to an opening set route.

Del Potro got his serve in rhythm in the second but missed on several 0-15 chances on the Isner serve.

In the breaker, it was Isner blasting away with his forehand, winning the last four points of the match to advance to his fourth career Masters final.

“There was a game plan. I stuck to it pretty well. I think more importantly than that, it was just a case of me playing some good tennis out there and being relaxed, which was crucial,” said Isner who had just two wins entering the event.

Isner finished with 39 winners to Del Potro’s 10, and in forehands only that difference was an astonishing 19-2. And John never faced a break point.

“John deserved to win today. He served unbelievable. He played great tennis on the tie-break. He was too good for me,” Del Potro said.

“He has a better serve than me, and then when he plays as good as today, he’s one of the tougher guys on Tour,” he added. “Not many players can return his serves. He plays every time making winners. When he has a good day, he has everything to win a title like this. I think he was better for today.”

On Sunday, for the biggest title of his career, Isner will take on yet another 6-foot-6 foe in Alexander Zverev.

The German won a close first set overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the opening breaker to pull away from Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(4), 6-2.

“I tried to be more aggressive. I made some winners; made some backhand winners finally in the match and found my rhythm,” said Zverev said of the breaker. “I think after that, I started to play really well, not only in the tie-break but also the second set.”

Zverev is into his third Masters final in the last year. And he’s never lost once he reaches the semifinals at this level, though the lose set he did lose was to Isner at Rome.

“I’m happy where I am right now, and hopefully it will be another great match here and then I can go to the clay court season,” he said.

Zverev leads 3-0 over Isner but both Masters meetings last year went the distance.


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50 Comments for Isner Stops Del Potro Streak, Will Face Zverev For Miami Masters Title

Markus Says:

When most of the top seeds started losing early on, I thought Zverev can sneak in and win his third Masters 1000. He can reach the finals and play somebody who is either injured or nit play his best. He seems to have that luck. If he can play the way he did in his last two matches, he will win his third. But I hope Isner wins this one. That would be a topper in his career.


Okiegal Says:

C’mon big John!! Win this was thing!!


Okiegal Says:

^^^^^ Remove was out of my comment please…….


Okiegal Says:

@Markus…..How is it possible for John to top the longest match in Wimbledon history?? That was something else! I watched that match from the very beginning to the very end……..the serving from both players was OTT!! Loved the match….. one I’ll never forget!


Markus Says:

Okiegal, I think being involved in the longest match in history is not something to be proud of even if you you came out the winner.


Okiegal Says:

&Markus……Why not??? Elaborate please…….


Margot Says:

Lol OKiegal, I thought it was the most boring match in the history of the world…..horses for courses eh?….;)


Okiegal Says:

Whatever………… I got into it because I couldn’t wait to see who was gonna be the victor….. true I had a long wait….. but I wasnt doing anything anyway. I guess it takes very little to amuse me…… LOL!😝😝😝


rognadfan Says:

Good for Big John, gets a big check. I truly hope he wins this one. For him, this is and probably the only ‘big’ opportunity to be a MS1000 winner; and this is a match he will have confidence (hence pressure ?) going in (unlike his previous master’s final trip).

But more than anything, american tennis (and its pundits) will have a rare boasting point. Especially at a time when there is no one, I mean no one, in sight that you can really say ‘this is the guy that will carry american tennis forward’. And it’s been freaking 15 years since we said that. That too didn’t turned out as we hoped, thanks to few all-time greats nobody saw coming at the time.

Ok enough ranting on American tennis. I guess I can’t help it.
Like some spanish papers said on Manchester united last month. ‘so much money yet so poor’.


j-kath Says:

I posted an article similar to this a few days ago which also mentioned Andy may also play in Glasgow end April…..but seems to have vanished.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/03/29/andy-murray-adds-dutch-grass-court-event-summer-schedule-comeback/

I also posted an article on Agassi re Nole – but this also seems to have vanished

Very puzzling…..

Also rumours that Lendl will return to coaching – has Zverev in mind.


Margot Says:

I think someone like Becker would be much more suitable for the pretty boy, myself.


Telperion Says:

Well… It wasa good run, Delpo. It was obvious that his body had already taken the toll. Time to rest and try to make the best out of the rest of the season.


j-kath Says:

Margot – Ideally Lendl would be better for Kyrgios….but how long might that last….wonder if Becker retains any respect within the tennis world these days….not sure he can knuckle down and be sufficiently dedicated……


Okiegal Says:

Want to see the coach who can tame Nicky…..boy child….


Margot Says:

Lol Kath, that would certainly be “Boot Camp” for Naughty Nick!


j-kath Says:

Margot & Okiegal – You ain’t wrong re. Naughty Nicky but Mr. Andy Murray was one of the naughty young lads (and still has a big vocabulary of swear words)- not to mention the grimaces. PS Hated him when he started now ? much different….understand that Puritanical Scottish background and sense of honour AND raw sense of humour.- which is why it is difficult to give up on him.


Humble Rafa Says:

Lendl would be better for Kyrgios

I would unleash the Angry Goran on Kyrgios. That way, you can be sure when it’s all over, it’s one person you have to deal with, not two.


j-kath Says:

Miscellaneous bits:
Stan is now 33 years old…(plans to play another 4 years). Is preparing for clay season – may play Estoril.

Federer has a problem – unless he plays Davis Cup he’ll not be allowed to go for Olympic Gold which the gossips say he wants to do.

Lendl and young Alexander seems to be a plan in the making – rumours developing. Talking about A.Z. – is time for the match…for some reason I think Big John may take it – it would be his first Masters’ win.

Ciao.


Margot Says:

C’mon Pretty Boy! Noooo VP I DO NOT mean Isner….tho you would…;)
From Monday 50% of top 10 will be 6’6″ or over. How depressing is that?


Humble Rafa Says:

Xisca is pregnant with triplets. Take that haters! Three in One. I am excited just imagining all the Humbles in my house.


Van Persie Says:

Lol Margot. A Zverev has similar hair and haircut as my husbad. So have a bit of weskness for Sascha because of that.
Am relaxed, would be glad for any of them winning today


Van Persie Says:

Lol HR, “All for one and all for love”


Margot Says:

VP : Pretty boy has lovely, curly hair, what good taste in men you must have..;)


Van Persie Says:

Thanks Margot, I would love to have that hair myself…


Van Persie Says:

Wonder if A Zverev does the same as my husband and is cutting the hair himself. Lol. Always to lazy to go to a hair dresser….and is cheaper as well. Sorry for this personal detail


Okiegal Says:

A good tight match going going on between Curly Top and the Marathon Man!! C’mon John!!


Van Persie Says:

Rooting also for Big John today. Had such a good week
Some spectacular points


Okiegal Says:

VP……..I am loving this match……..you are so right…….we are seeing some spectacular points!!! C’mon John……take this final set!!


Okiegal Says:

Here we go!!!


Van Persie Says:

Biggy really fired up


j-kath Says:

Yep – rooting for John as well -would be his first Masters!! AZ has loads of time..


Margot Says:

Only me for Pretty Boy then, so an extra loud C’MON!
Looks as if he who doesn’t get tight will win but I think Little John might want it a bit more, it’s probably his last chance..


Markus Says:

It’s over now. So many missed chances.


skeezer Says:

Congrats Big John, awesome win.


Margot Says:

Well played Little John! Wanted it more.
Good luck next time Pretty Boy. Good to see him playing well again, in spite of the outcome.


skeezer Says:

Z showed some immaturity in the clutch(followed with a racket busting). He’ll get over it, and get more titles.


Van Persie Says:

Congrats Big John :)

He did it. Who would have thought this at the beginning of the tournament?


j-kath Says:

Well done John – Your first (and possibly last Masters) – as for AZ- heck lad – you’ll be up there with the best sooner rather than later. You certainly made it competitive.


Willow Says:

Good match, congrats to Izzy ….


Giles Says:

Well done Izzy boy taking care of the Brat!


Daniel Says:

Wow, what a win for Isner and in Miami. After checked scores and saw he lost first set breaker thought he was done. What a comeback. Biggest win of his career. His agressive game payed off.


Markus Says:

Congrats, Isner!


Okiegal Says:

A big congrats to the Marathon Man!! So glad you are the champion!! Way to go John!!! Did not get to see all of the last set but I will watch the replay………


Okiegal Says:

@Giles……..beware, you said the “b” word……😝😝😝


Markus Says:

Hi, Okie. Happy Easter to you. Remember what I promised to do for you? I’ve been doing it regularly. Hope that does something.


MgMg Says:

So happy to see you win Big John!!! That was awesome.


Humble Rafa Says:

Never thought someone like Tallner would win a Master’s title. Congratulations. Every dog gets it day in the sun, even the tall one who everyone thinks is playing the wrong sport.


Daniel Says:

2 MAsters in 2018 and 2 first time winners. Wonder if MC will follow trend? One clay specialist sneaking a win.

But, Nadal will have something to say on that one, If order will be restored or not.


Okiegal Says:

@Markus…….OMG I have forgotten what you said you would do. Are you gonna make me do research on the threads to find out or are you going to refresh my memory by just st telling me now???

HAPPY EASTER to you too sweet Markus!!


Willow Says:

Happy Easter to all TX posters XX ;-)

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