Davis Cuppers Querrey, Isner Meet in Memphis Final

by Sean Randall | February 21st, 2010, 9:25 am
  • 27 Comments

Newly minted Davis Cup teammates Sam Querrey and John Isner will battle for the Memphis title later today in what has to be one of the tallest tennis finals ever played on American soil. ADHEREL

The 6-foot-9 Isner beat Philip Petzchner in three sets yesterday while the 6-foot-6 Querrey beat Ernests Gulbis in straight sets.

Seems strange how just when Andy Roddick and James Blake opt out of Davis Cup, Querrey and Isner catch fire just in time. But it’s always been the American way, hasn’t it? Just when you think the U.S. is down new stars bubble up in the nick of time – see Melanie Oudin.


“It’s awesome,” Querrey said. “It’s kind of a little confidence booster for us going into the week after next. I think Patrick’s excited, too. He picked us and we’re doing well.”

Querrey and Isner will lead the U.S. against Serbia in Davis Cup in two weekends.

As for the match, the two big men have never played. Isner is 12-1 on the year and playing the better tennis of the two. Querrey has more experience in the bigger matches. So this is a close one. I think though that Isner the hotter guy and if I had to pick I’d pick him.

“It’s huge,” said Isner. “It’ll be my second final already this year in my third tournament…Hopefully I can come out tomorrow and get it done no matter who I’m playing. Either way, I know I’ve done really well but I’m not satisfied, that’s for sure.”

After the match the two will team in the doubles final against Rosco Hutchins and Jordan Kerr.

In two other all-countryman finals today Frenchman Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau are in the Marseille final. In South American, Spaniards David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero have reached the Buenos Aires title match.


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27 Comments for Davis Cuppers Querrey, Isner Meet in Memphis Final

Colin Says:

Sean, I can’t make sense of your first sentence. Are some words missing?

February 21st, 2010 at 9:36 am


Sean Randall Says:

Colin, sorry, I left out a few key words. Updated now.

February 21st, 2010 at 9:40 am


margot Says:

If that’s GB doubles player, he’s known as Ross.

February 21st, 2010 at 11:08 am


Andrew Miller Says:

Good deal – Isner and Querrey definitely decided they want to lead U.S. tennis.

Is that fair to say? That Isner and Querrey are a little different than Fish-Blake-Ginepri (followers) and more like Roddick (alpha player)?

Or is the jury out until Miami-Indian Wells for these two?

February 21st, 2010 at 1:04 pm


jane Says:

margot – don’t know if you watched the GB vs. Canada heavy weight curling (yes, curling! lol) match, but it’s getting a lot of press. It’s weird how hyped up people are about … curling. But as andrea quipped a few days ago: “God bless the curlers”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/annathompson/2010/02/curlings_heavyweights_collide.html

p.s. apologies for going off topic.

February 21st, 2010 at 1:11 pm


jane Says:

Andrew Miller, for me the jury is still out to a degree; there is no doubt these two are very good players but I’d like to see Querrey and/or Isner come through a deep draw at a Masters Series event. I know Querrey has a big win over Roddick and Isner over Karlovic here, and each have had pretty good runs at the hardcourt slams too (USO @ the both; Isner @ AO) but I’d like to see one of them win a Master series trophy before I consider them to be taking over for Roddick.

I actually prefer watching Sam, personally. And I think he has the game to be good on all surfaces, including clay, where he has pushed Djoko (Monte Carlo) for a set and Rafa at Davis Cup. And he played well on grass versus Cilic at Wimbledon last year.

But I think Isner is hungrier and has a tougher attitude. If you could transplant Isner’s brain / attitude into Sam’s body / game, I think you’d have a player of Roddick’s caliber! LOL.

February 21st, 2010 at 1:28 pm


Andrew Miller Says:

Jane- do you think Del Potro’s success is also a motivator for Querrey and Isner? They see a big guy with big groundstrokes, who is not “Safin” or a Serve/Volleyer, win a Slam?

I know they always mention Roddick as being the “standard” in terms of what it takes, but I wonder!

February 21st, 2010 at 1:49 pm


Andrew Miller Says:

Seems Querrey and Isner MUST do well at Indian Wells or in Miami, or both – Federer’s a little “under the weather”, Nadal’s knees are “not great” at the moment, Davydenko has been “less hot” and diddo for just about all others – including Roddick and Verdasco.

Even though Federer and Murray are still ‘leading the pack’, arent Indian Wells and Miami looking open to party crashers such as Isner and Querrey?

February 21st, 2010 at 2:09 pm


jane Says:

“Jane- do you think Del Potro’s success is also a motivator for Querrey and Isner? ”

Yes Andrew I do; I think Cilic is a motivator too. Sam was hanging with Cilic at Wimbledon last year, and now look at Cilic, breaking through at slams. And when Sam and JMDP played last year it wasn’t a complete wash out by Delpo. Just one break in each set. Moreover, since both Isner and Querrey look up to Roddick, I think their recent wins over him will actually help them because they’ll believe in themselves more. Sam’s matches with Andy have always been close, and this second win will help him believe. Ditto for Isner getting his first win at the USO. It may (???) suggest these 2 are ready to step up, and Davis Cup will put them front and center. Interesting times…

February 21st, 2010 at 2:23 pm


Kimmi Says:

this match is so serve dominated..its start to get boring. Very few rallies, *yawn* I am about to go to sleep.

February 21st, 2010 at 5:19 pm


jane Says:

Kimmi – agree. I mean Roddick versus Querrey also features a lot of great serving but yet those matches are way more exciting for some reason – more rallies. Overall, I don’t find Isner that fun to watch. He’s rounding out his game though so I guess he may, er, grow on me.

February 21st, 2010 at 5:26 pm


Kimmi Says:

Its is going to be very difficult for querrey to get to Isner games but you are right, I enjoyed Roddick v Querrey more.

Anyway, tiebreak

February 21st, 2010 at 5:28 pm


jane Says:

Yes, this will be Isner’s title; Isner allows “no room for error,” as the commentators said, because his serve is so very difficult to return. Players need to watch how Murray played him at the AO – stand, way, way back and look way, way up. : ) And also, if they do get into a rally or have look at a second serve return, go behind Isner and trip him up. He’s a decent mover, but not the best.

February 21st, 2010 at 5:34 pm


Kimmi Says:

WWOW! Querrey..go get the set

February 21st, 2010 at 5:34 pm


jane Says:

Yes – Sam gets the second set on Isner errors. I am happy he has at least a chance. : )

February 21st, 2010 at 5:36 pm


Kimmi Says:

lucky break for Querrey. Game on! Hope third set we will see more rallies. I root for Querrey because his game is more pleasing to my eyes.

February 21st, 2010 at 5:37 pm


Kimmi Says:

Isner gave the break..after that 2nd set, his serve accuracy went down a little. Now querrey needs to hold which I believe he can…

February 21st, 2010 at 5:49 pm


jane Says:

Kimmi I have to disagree. I believe Isner blew the 2nd set tiebreak, and he knows it. BUT, while his first serve went off it was Sam who was able to win the rallies, with 2 great passing shots in a row to get to love-30, which Isner clawed back to 30-all. But if Isner can hold with second serves, then frankly, he deserves to get broken.

Go Querrey!

February 21st, 2010 at 5:53 pm


jane Says:

*sorry – should be if Isner *can’t* hold with 2nd serves … He needs to be able to win games and matches even if his first serve isn’t firing. Especially in a final.

February 21st, 2010 at 5:55 pm


Kimmi Says:

Yeah i saw those passing shots, it was great game from Sam. Go Querrey indeed. he was able to weather the storm…that serving in 1st and second set was ridiculous.

“*sorry – should be if Isner *can’t* hold with 2nd serves … He needs to be able to win games and matches even if his first serve isn’t firing. Especially in a final.”

Agree..playing with a good returner and somebody with a good baseline game, Isner will always struggle I feel

February 21st, 2010 at 6:04 pm


Kimmi Says:

Sam..did you see that..NOT EVEN A CELEBRATION when he won that match point. I guess a lot of respect to his buddy John

February 21st, 2010 at 6:06 pm


jane Says:

Yahoo Sam! 3rd title, and very deserving since he took out the defending champion, Roddick, and the mountainous server of Isner, by hanging in there.

February 21st, 2010 at 6:07 pm


jane Says:

I think Sam can actually cause some trouble on clay versus Serbia.

Awwww, cute, Isner thanks his mom as does Sam.

February 21st, 2010 at 6:13 pm


Kimmi Says:

I agree. Sam can be dangerous to anybody now. his game has really improved and that FH is a killer. Should be interesting to see how he will fair up in up coming tournamnets

February 21st, 2010 at 6:21 pm


jane Says:

The man with the extra letter wins: Ferrero over Ferrer.

JCF has been hot lately; I wonder if he can threaten at the more major clay events this year??

February 21st, 2010 at 6:40 pm


Kimmi Says:

I am getting into hockey jane: Canada v USA..GO CANADA

Ferrero back to back titles. The commentator was saying his last back to back title was 2001. “major clay events?” Lets see what he can do when he plays the REAL clay court specialist..hehehe!

February 21st, 2010 at 6:45 pm


jane Says:

Glad to hear Kimmi – this is a big game! Come on Canada!

February 21st, 2010 at 7:04 pm

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