John Isner continues his winning streak in tiebreaks after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3) 7-6(4) to reach back-to-back finals in Miami.
The defending champion is 9-0 in tiebreaks this week after beating 18 year-old qualifier Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach a second consecutive final in Miami.
In a topsy-turvy match, Auger-Aliassime served for both sets but his inexperience proved costly as Isner battled back to seal the win.
As a result Isner will look to successfully defend his title on Sunday when he faces either Roger Federer or Denis Shapovalov.
It was unchartered territory for the talented Canadian as he was competing in his first ever Masters 1000 semi-final. However that didn’t seem to faze him early on as he produced some comfortable holds of serve early on.
Not only was the 18 year-old serving well, he was constructing some good shots on return as he looked to take his opportunities on the Isner serve when they arrive.
After saving three break points with three aces in the fifth game, Isner was unable to hold for much longer as he was remarkably broken to love. Advantage to the Canadian.
However in tennis you can’t buy experience and that was costing Auger-Aliassime in the latter stages of the first set as three double faults meant that he was broken back.
Unlike Auger-Aliassime, the American had plenty of experience and knew that he couldn’t waste his opportunity. After forcing a tiebreak, Isner played some hammering forehands and great volleys to take the tiebreak 7-3.
It was a hash lesson for Felix but one he needed to learn from quickly if he wanted to reach the final in Miami. Both men were working hard at the start of the second set to try and protect their serve as the start seemed crucial.
One trait for Auger-Aliassime’s that we’ve been used to seeing in the past few weeks is his ability to never give up and that was evident when he once again broke for a 4-2 lead.
But it was another moment of hesitation and nerves for the youngster as he once again failed to close out the set to hand Isner the break back.
It was a great tournament for Felix but he was simply outdone by nerves and inexperience as Isner took another tiebreak to seal his place in the Miami final for a second year in a row.
Despite the result Auger-Aliassime will climb to 33 in the world and can look forward to making more statements on his preferred surface, clay.
On the other hand Isner will now aim to successfully defend his Miami title when he faces Roger Federer or Denis Shapovalov on Sunday.
