Fresh off winning the biggest title in his career at the age of 32, John Isner is hoping to continue his surge going into the French Open.
Last month the American stunned the draw by winning the Miami Open. Defeating top 10 players Marin Cilic, Juan Martin del Potro and Alexander Zverev in the process. The achievement has helped move the American up to ninth in the ATP Emirates rankings. His best ever position that was first achieved back in 2012.
This week marks the start of Isner’s clay court campaign. He is the top seed at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships. A tournament where he won his first and so far only ATP title on the dirt back in 2013. Despite his lack of trophies on the surface, Isner has the ability to play on the clay. Has he won more matches at the French Open than both Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Furthermore, he reached the semifinals of last year’s Rome Masters before falling in three sets to Zverev. Who went on to win the title.
“Clay’s a very good surface for me,” Isner told The Houston Chronicle. “Sometimes the conditions can be almost perfect for me. If it’s a warm day, the clay is a little bit fast but it’s also bouncing up high. I want a fast court for my serve, but I want a high-bouncing court for the rest of my game.
“It’s something that the more you play on, the more comfortable you are moving on clay. So I’m looking forward to this clay court season starting in Houston.”
With only 495 points to defend during the clay season, there is a strong chance that Isner could break into the world’s top eight for the first time. Next month there will be a duo of Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome prior to Roland Garros.
Relishing in the confidence gained from Miami, Isner has renewed belief that he can go deep in the draw of a grand slam tournament. His current best occurred at the 2011 US Open where he reached the quarter-finals.
“I think I can,” Isner said about having a strong run in a grand slam. “The Miami tournament was a huge confidence boost. To finally get over that hump and also in the fashion that I did.”
“(I was) wanting my opponent to lose the match, not really me winning the match. That’s the wrong way to go about it.” He added.
Isner, who has been granted a first round bye, will get his Houston campaign underway against Swiss world No.143 Henri Laaksonen.
