John Isner: It is not all perfect about having first round bye
American tennis star John Isner insists it's not all perfect about having a first round bye at a tournament.
Isner, seeded at No. 1 in the Newport main draw, had a first round bye at the American grass-court event.
Isner, 34, was made to work in his opener as he overcame rising Polish star Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-3 to reach the quarterfinal.
World No. 15 Isner avoided losing his opener in Newport but No. 2 seed Adrian Mannarino and third-seeded Jordan Thompson weren't that lucky.
"Well it is a lot of pressure. To have a bye at a tournament like this, a first round bye, is a blessing and a curse," Isner told Andy Katz after beating Majchrzak.
"We have seen it so far with No. 2 and No. 3 seeds (they) lost their first match because you're playing with someone who has already played a match. So you are playing someone that's coming into the match feeling pretty good about themselves.
"Right now the No. 4 seed is in the court... I'm telling you it happens a lot with top four seeds at a tournament like this getting bounced out early."
Three-time Newport champion Isner will fight against Australian Matthew Ebden for a place in the quarterfinal.
It will be a rematch of the 2017 Newport final -- which Isner won in straight sets.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2xQkpio
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