tt stern-enzi (recap of live coverage)

Featured Match: Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs John Isner (USA)

This year, by happenstance, my featured player focus has been on Sam Stosur on the women’s side and Isner on the men’s. Stosur’s out after last night’s match, which I caught only part of, so Isner’s claims the lion’s share of the attention now (and heightened expectations as well).

Even though this match-up takes place during a crowded afternoon, it is prime time all the way. Isner has been on his game throughout the early rounds, but the challenge level here, against the number one player in the world, makes this a finals quality pairing for him. He’s had a solid run through the US Open Series and is on course to compete for bonus earnings at the Open this year, if he maintains this pace.

And just as he has done with each of his earlier matches, he starts here serving big (flirting with the 130s on first serves, never dipping below 110 mph on his second serves), which sets up quick aggressive points and a routine hold. Djokovic fights through lackluster points, falls into a hole, but climbs out to even things up. They trade games, winning in similar fashion and it seems like a tiebreak will be inevitable. The smart bet is on Isner in the tiebreak because he has had the more commanding holds on serve. Djokovic has lapses in either technique or mental focus in almost every game, despite pulling out holds.

In the tiebreak, as expected, Isner cranks up the serves – reaching the upper 130s – while Djokovic double faults to fall behind 3-4. At that point, Isner unleashes his power, forcing Djokovic to eventually send a weak return into the net (7-5) and the crowd erupts. The locals desperately want to root for the gentle giant.

Djokovic steps up in the second set though, overcoming his initial struggles to take his first game and then break Isner in his first service game. All of a sudden, Isner is working much harder to achieve results that came naturally in the first set. Djokovic has dialed in on his serve and found ways to blunt the power, so that he can’t turn the court into a tight cell. More of his service games go to deuce, as Djokovic sticks and twists the knife a bit. The crowd seizes any chance to cheer and encourage Isner, but he falls 6-3, rather quietly.

The third set begins with a strong hold for Isner and a workmanlike win for Djokovic. They trade holds and the main weakness for Isner is the short return of serve that Djokovic simply pounces on every time. Righting this concern leads to Isner pushing deeper into the Djokovic service game. Longer rallies means each man gets to showcase their shot making. Brilliant strength and crafty net play keeps the fans on edge. Isner, in particular, enjoys standing tall at net, never rushed or nervous as Djokovic fires bullets or sneaks in a wrist-flick of a volley. He wins more of these exchanges and it is this poise that speaks to a raised level of play. His game is more sound, which means he’s truly ready to vault into the top ten.

Setting up a 5-all third set, Isner uses his bigness – the serves again rocketing into the upper 130s and booming second shots once Djokovic has left him with shot balls. He serves for 6-5 and the crowd senses another tiebreak, especially once Djokovic gains the upper hand early in his service game, but Isner claws back in, forcing the game to deuce. Djokovic double faults to set up a second match point and when he drops a shot into the net – Isner and the crowd breath a huge sigh of relief. Isner has won and there is wondrous celebration and the realization that Isner is, indeed, a prime time player whenever he takes the court.