John Isner fired 27 aces to edge Roger Federer 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 7-6 (7-5) after a tight tie-break in the third set. Isner sealed the win on his fourth match point after 2 hours and 16 minutes. Federer saved all the six break points he faced before fighting back from 2-6 down in the tie-break.
Isner had won only one match against Federer three years ago in the 2012 Davis Cup. Federer led 5-1 in their previous head-to-head matches and won their previous clash in the fourth round at this year’s US Open.
Isner saved two break points with a lob and a volley to hold his service game for 3-2. Federer won four points from 15-40 to win his service game to draw level to 3-3. in the ninth game Federer brought up a break point but Isner saved with a 232 km/h ace. Federer missed another break point chance.
There were no more break points until the tie-break. Isner got two mini-breaks at 2-1 and 7-3 to clinch the first set. Federer misfired on a forehand to lose the tie-break
Federer had to save three break points in the first game of the second set. The Swiss star went up 15-40 on Isner’s serve but Isner saved the break points with four consecutive aces to draw level to 2-2.
Federer received treatment at the start of the second set because of a sore arm.
“I was just feeling my arm but it didn’t affect me in the third set. It’s not serious”, said Federer.
Federer converted his fourth break point chance in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. The Swiss Maestro hold his next service games to win the second set with 6.3.
The first three games of the third set went on serve. Isner won eight consecutive points on serve to take a 2-1 lead. Federer saved the sixth break point chance to hold his service game for 2-2.
Isner fended off a break point in the fifth game with a backhand volley to take the 3-2 lead. At 3-all Federer earned a break point chance at 30-40 with a backhand passing shot but Isner saved it with his 20th ace and held his service game. Federer won four consecutive points from 0-15 down to draw level to 4-4.
Isner fired his 22nd ace and a first serve at 220 km/h to win his fifth service game. Federer was just two points away from losing the match at 4-5 15-30 but managed to hold his service game.
Federer went down 15-30 on his serve at 5-6 but recovered to force the match to the tie-break with a cross-court forehand winner. Isner brought up four match points at 6-2. Federer saved the first three chances but Isner converted his fourth opportunity with his serve
Isner fired 27 aces, saved five of the six break points he faced but could not break Federer in the whole match.
“It’s one of my best five wins. Roger is the best player in history. It’s a great win for me”, said Isner
Federer hit 13 aces, made 4 double faults and saved all the six break points he faced.
“It’s tough going out of a tournament without losing your serve, but that’s what happened. I am not sure what I could do differently”, said Federer
Ferrer comes back from losing the first set to beat Dimitrov
In the quarter final Isner will face David Ferrer who came back from a set down to beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 6-1 6-4. Both players went on serve until the tie-break, which Dimitrov won 7-4. Ferrer got an early break. The Valencia native broke twice more to win the first set with 6-1. Dimitrov fought back to take an early break in the third set. Ferrer broke twice to clinch the third set with 6-4 to secure his spot in the quarter finals for the seventh time in his career.