Isner Takes Down Monfils!

Isner Advances to 4th Round, Australian Open 2010

In an intense 4 set match, Isner takes down the #12 seed from France, the athletic, 6'4" Gael Monfils, who many had expected to make a run at this tournament. The final score was  6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5)...

Isner's Game Comes Together

We're seeing drastic improvements in Isner's ground game this year, particularly his backhand, which he has learned to hone - bringing it low over the net for passing shots and ripping it down the line. A high first serve percentage combined with many advances to net brought John to a quick 6-1 lead, and a 2-0 early break in the second, before Monfils woke up from the shell shock and started firing from both wings.

Isner's 8-1 Tie Break Record for 2010

The third set got leveled at 2-2 and it was a battle all the way to the tie breaker. This time, Monfils went up a minibreak early on, 2-0, only to have that be the last point he would win until 6-3, as John fired off serve after serve, along with some quick rushes to net to finish points.

The fourth and final set was a nail biter. Monfils had a set point at 4-5, with Isner serving a second serve, down 30-40. Andy Roddick was commentating in the box, and he called just about every one of the big man's serves, including the kicker out wide that flew completely out of Monfils' reach and brought the match to what would turn out to be a deciding tie breaker. Monfils put up a big fight this time around, bringing the score all the way to an unnerving 5-5, before John made a rush to net on Gael's serve, putting away a volley and bringing him to a 6-5 lead for match point. He smoked in a serve out wide and the rest is history.

Isner to Take on Murray in the Second Week

John advances to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. A nice follow up to his first ATP title win in Auckland at the beginning of the year (at the Heineken Open), Isner will be facing world number 5 and British hopeful Andy Murray in the round of 16. Stay tuned for that match on Sunday and get ready for the showdown of John's career!