John Isner booked his spot in the quaterfinals of the Hall of Fame Open in Newport after beating the German Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6 in one hour and 24 minutes.
The number two seed served 22 aces and won 91% of his first points in his first match of the tournament under the blazing sun.
“I am very happy and the first match is always tricky,” said Isner. “I haven’t played here in a few years, I’ve won a lot of matches here and I always have the support. Today (Wednesday) wasn’t pretty and I will try to get better”.
It was the American who got off to a fast start after holding his opening service game with ease and was able to break the German from the get go who was struggling with his serve and took an early 2-0 lead.
The match stayed on serve until 4-2 when the German had a chance to break back to go back on serve but the North Carolinian pulled out a massive forehand winner to save the breakpoint.
Isner served out the first set in a mere 26 minutes and it looked like it was going to be one away traffic for the Dallas resident.
The second set was a tighter affair and it needed to be decided by a tiebreaker in which the American got the crucial break at 7-6 and was able to serve it out to get the win.
In his post match interview Isner was asked about playing on grass and how he has adapted to it.
” I do enjoy playing on grass and with every match you play you get more comfortable and hopefully I can come out and play well in my next match and if I do that I’ll be good”. He said.
Isner will next face the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi who is also the number five seed this week in the draw. He beat the American qualifier Chris Eubanks in straight sets 6-4, 7-6.
