The Dallas resident booked his spot in the final four after narrowly beating his Ecuadorian opponent.
John Isner is into the semi-finals of the Dallas Open after beating Emilio Gomez in two tight sets 7-6, 7-5 in one hour and 47 minutes.
The American served 23 aces and won 90% of his first serve points in a match that was pretty even.
“I served well again,” he said. “I was a little bit fortunate in the first set but I think I need to be more opportunistic and more aggressive on the big return points but that comes with confidence and matches played.”
The first set stayed on serve until 3-3 when the number five seed set up three chances to break with a spectacular backhand winner but the Ecuadorian managed to save all three and hold serve.
At 4-3, Gomez earned his first two break points of the match setting them up with a perfect cross-court passing shot for a winner but Isner’s big serve erased both of them.
A tiebreaker decided the set and both players did a good job winning their points on serve but at 9-8 the Greensboro, North Carolina native managed to find the breakthrough and won his 500th tiebreaker.
The second set once again was very even and it stayed on serve until 4-4 when Gomez had two more chances to break but once again was snubbed by Isner’s giant serve.
At 6-5, the number five seed continued to apply pressure and earned a match point, and was able to convert to seal the win.
After the match in his on-court interview, he was asked about reaching a career milestone.
“I have won a lot of tiebreakers Isner said. ” I think I can use that last game and it can give me some confidence going forward tomorrow.”
Isner will now face the number six seed JJ Wolf who managed to upset the number two seed Frances Tiafoe in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and five minutes.
