2013 champion John Isner withdraws from Houston
American tennis star John Isner won't be opening his 2019 clay-court campaign at one of his favorite stops on the tour as he has withdrawn from Houston.
The American struggled heavily on the court during the Miami Masters final against Roger Federer this past Sunday.
The 33-year-old refused to retire the final as Federer claimed a 6-1 6-4 win.
Christopher Clarey of The New York Times reported this week that Isner suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during the final and that he could be out four to six weeks.
Isner has been a regular participant of the Houston event for over a decade but now his run of 11 consecutive appearances at the tournament is set to come to an end.
"It is really unfortunate that I have to withdraw from Houston, one of my favorite events of the year due to an injury in my foot that occurred in the Miami Open final. I have played the ATP event in Houston every year since 2008 so it is very disappointing to not compete there this year. I am hopeful that I will be back on the court in a few weeks," Isner said following his withdrawal, per the tournament's website.
Isner, who has never been known as a top clay-court player, won his maiden clay title in Houston six years ago in 2013 when he beat Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the final.
The American also came close to winning it all in Houston a year earlier but got beaten in the final by Argentina's Juan Monaco.
Following the withdrawal of Isner, a place in the Houston main draw has opened for Spaniard Marcel Granollers.
The Spaniard is set to make his third appearance on the clay of Houston.
Granollers, 32, had an impressive Houston debut, having won it all at the tournament in 2008.
The Spaniard failed to defend his Houston title as a year later he lost in the round-of-16.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2CY86DP
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