It’s Day Ten in the Miami Open - the ATP semi finals.
Miami Open presented by Itaú - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard Layklold, in Miami, Florida, USA, 20-31 March 2019.
Defending champion:
John Isner (14) who defeated Alexander Zverev (4) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-
ATP semi finals
- John Isner (7) v qualifier Felix Auger-Aliassime
A first time meeting between 33 year old defending champion Isner and rampaging teenager Auger-Aliassime, who had come through qualifying to reach the semi finals.
The Canadian began the year ranked 108, and now is looking at the top fifty and beyond.
Isner served first and held without problem, four aces included. The pair were comfortable on serve for the first four games, but at 2-2, Isner struggled, and needed to save three break points (he did, all with aces) before his opponent sent a forehand wide and it became 3-2.
Isner’s next time at the line was worse, as three errors provided Auger-Aliassime with three more break points. A wayward forehand donated the break and the lead now belonged to the Canadian 4-3.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Auger-Aliassime double faulted twice, netted a forehand, and double faulted on break point. Isner just watched and saw the score change to 5-5.
A tie break came after two love games.
At the first end change it was 3-3. From there it was all Isner, winning a point off the Auger-Aliassime serve by attacking at the net, then delivering two brutal serves, one an ace. 6-3 and three set points. A wide forehand from Canada and the set was American 7-6(3).
In set two, Auger-Aliassime saved a break point in the third game, and then put pressure on Isner in game six. Isner had only been broken twice in the tournament before the semis, and the young Canadian already cracked the American serve once in set one. He repeated the dose here, after two errant American forehands and an exquisite Canadian cross court backhand pass brought up two break points. The break came on the second of those with a wild forehand missing the court by several zip codes.
Serving for the set, Auger-Aliassime failed as he had similarly done in set one, Isner converting the second break chance with Auger-Aliassime hitting a straight forward forehand into the net.
A tie break eventuated, and Isner won the first point, against the Canadian serve. After that every point went to the server, and John Isner served the match out 7-6(3) 7-6(4).
The American was first to the final with a chance to defend his title.
- Roger Federer (4) defeated Denis Shapovalov (20) 6-2 6-4 and will play John Isner in the final for the Miami Open trophy.
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