John Isner knew he wasn’t going to win Miami Open final by mid-second set
John Isner wasn’t able to defend his Miami Open title he won last year, going out in straight sets to a flawless, masterful Roger Federer, 6-1, 6-4. The American sadly sustained a foot injury that hampered his progress even further, right when he was increasing momentum in the second set, with the world No. 10 limping his way through the last game.
Isner spoke about the moment that the injury came on during the crucial second set in his press conference afterwards.
“Somewhere along in the first set I started feeling some pain on the top of my foot, and it didn't go away. It only kept getting worse.
“It's a terrible feeling, because you're on an island out there, and, you know, you have no teammates to hide behind and going up against the greatest player ever, you know, playing in this incredible atmosphere, and my foot's killing me.
“Not that I would have won the match, anyways, let's make that clear, but, you know, I think I could have made for a more interesting match and one that was a little more fun.”
John Isner’s serve game usually completely intimidates his opponents, but Federer was able to break his serve game early on in the first set. The 33-year-old American talked about when the inevitable conclusion really sunk in during the match, before the injury struck.
“I mean, I knew at 3-4, whatever, I knew I wasn't going to win. I can tell you that much. Which is a weird feeling, you know, being on serve in the finals of a match and knowing that I wasn't going to win.
“Look, Roger was too good. In the first five games, I was fine. Nothing was bothering me. He was all over me. Then, you know, this weird pain on the top of my foot, we'll see what is. I'm hoping it's nothing, but we'll see.”
A nice moment between two finalists 🙌@JohnIsner | @rogerfederer | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/AKB1CSVf6d
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) March 31, 2019
Roger Federer was the favorite going into the final, but the loss of confidence on serve for Isner was a big surprise of the match. The Swiss was able to capitalize on the American’s dip in form right away.
“He was making a lot of returns back, blocking them back. You know, I needed to come out, especially in that first game, and really try to assert myself. You know, I didn't serve a particularly great game, but he made me pay for it.
“I knew he was going to play well today. I knew he was seeing the ball very big. Certainly that was the case. I wasn't up to the task in the first set, that's for sure.”
Federer’s aggression tipped the match in the Swiss’ favor right away, and John Isner spoke about how the 37-year-old player attacked Isner’s serve from the start.
“Yeah, there have been some players. He just does it a little bit differently. He just kind of blocks it back. Whereas Novak, when he's locked in, he just kind of rips it back, doesn't block it too much.
“You know, Roger was standing in close, as well, just reacting very well and very fast to my serve. I mean, he's something else.”
The past 32 ATP and WTA tournaments have been won by new, singular players each. That is, until Sunday, when Roger Federer became the only player in this stretch to put his name down as the winner of two tournaments.
“Well, I guess it's kind of fitting, you know, one of our game's greats and current greats and of course all-time greats.”
But John Isner comes away impressed with the new Miami Open setting, a fan- and player-friendlier venue than the previous iteration, which the tournament had outgrown.
“Yeah, I'm very happy with it. I mean, that atmosphere out there today was -- I can't tell you how cool that was, seeing the whole upper deck full. I thought it was fantastic.
“I mean, I think the players have enjoyed it. It's a lot of space. I think the fans have enjoyed it, as well. Just really simply amazing. I just wish I could have given them a little bit better match out there today.”
John Isner will be taking a wait-and-see approach about his foot to decide what the rest of the season will look like for the American. For now, he will enjoy some well-deserved time off with his wife and new, six-month old daughter.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2FNXclB
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