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John Isner Wins ATP Title at Houston and Then Promptly Loses 1st Round at Monte-Carlo Two Days Later

ATP 250 Houston - Men's Final

5 John Isner d 1 Nicolas Almagro - 63 75

John won his 6 title and has now won an ATP title 4 years running.

Post match: I've always known I could play well on clay.

Then two days later he's across the Atlantic playing at M-C.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - First Round

Ernests Gulbis d w/c John Isner - 46 62 63

I'm thinking he should have pulled from this tournament.

But he asked for a wild-card and I suppose he didn't want to waffle.

Almagro (Houston runner-up) barely got out of the first round himself.

This has to be one of the toughest turn-arounds in tennis.

Rest up. This is just the start of the long European swing.

Ryan Harrison Upsets John Isner at Sydney

ATP 250 Sydney - 2nd Round

Q Ryan Harrison d 1 John Isner - 64 64

Nice result there Ryan. To be fair, Isner is playing injured.

John is still unsure if he'll play the Australian Open next week.

Ryan moved into his 8th career ATP Qf and he has a good record: 5-2.

He'll face Julien Benneteau for the first time. I like his chances.

Ryan got to a ranking high of #43 last summer then stumbled a bit.

He has slipped to his current #68.

If he can stay away from a top seed at the Aussie that ranking will go up.

Last year he got Andy Murray in the 1st round. That had to suck.

Philipp Kohlschreiber Upsets John Isner Late into the Night in 3rd Round Action at the US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

19 Philipp Kohlschreiber d 9 John Isner - 64 36 46 63 64

This match tied as the latest finish at the US Open ending at 2:26 am.

This is Philipp's 6th trip to a 4th round at a Slam: 1-4.

The 1 win just came at Wimby so can he make it 2 Slams in-a-row?

He'll next face 8 Janko Tipsarevic - H2H: 2-2. Very doable.

***

As for Isner... He couldn't get past the 3rd round at all 4 Slams this year.

And all 4 of those losses were defeats in 5 sets. Sucks, but it's ok.

My problem is this... In 19 Slams played he's been to the 4th round 3 times.

And has exactly ONE quarterfinal showing - at the US Open last year.

BUT - if you listen to the ridiculously biased commentating of Gimelstob...

You'd think he was a serious contender at every Slam.

Um Justin, there is zero evidence of that, zero.

To be clear - my problem is not John, it's Justin.

I get that they are chums but it should not cloud his blatherings.

On a positive note: John cleaned up well for Vogue this month:

ATP & WTA Weekend Winners for July 15, 2012

Good week for top seeds as 5 of 6 tournies were won by the top dog.

***

Umag ATP 250: 2 Marin Cilic d 4 Marcel Granollers - 64 62

The 23 year-old Croat won his 8th title and 2nd on the season.

He went one further this year as he was the runner-up last year.

***

Bastad ATP 250: 1 David Ferrer d 2 Nicolas Almagro - 62 62

David picked up his 16th title, 2nd at Bastad & 5th on the season.

All this and he's still stuck at #5 in the rankings.

***

Newport ATP 250: 1 John Isner d W/C Lleyton Hewitt - 76(1) 64

This is John's 4th title and 1st of the season.

This is the 1st time he has ever defended a title.

***

Stuttgart ATP 250: 1 Janko Tipsarevic d 2 Juan Monaco - 64 57 63

Janko earned his 3rd career ATP crown and 1st of the season.

He is now 3-6 in finals.

***

Stanford WTA: 1 Serena Williams d LL Coco Vandeweghe - 75 63

Serena won her 43rd WTA title, 4th on the year and 2nd at Stanford.

This is also the 2nd straight Sunday with a title following Wimbldeon.

***

Palermo WTA: 1 Sara Errani d 8 Barbora Zahlavova Strycov - 61 63

Sara won her 6th WTA title and 4th of the year.

She is the 1st Italian to win 4 titles in a single season.

John Isner Upset in Wimbledon Opener

Wimbledon - First Round

Alejandro Falla d 11 John Isner - 64 67(7) 36 76(7) 75

Yet another 1st round 5-setter. This time a loss.

Something you may not know: John has won TWO matches at Wimbledon.

He's played Wimby 4 times. He's won a whopping TWO matches.

Post match: Lately it's happening quite a lot, [where] I get out there...

In the match and I'm just so clouded. I just can't seem to figure things out.

I'm my own worst enemy out there.

It's all mental for me, and it's pretty poor on my part.

John will get another shot at playing on the grass at Wimbledon.

He's been named to the US Olympic team.

Photo: Reuters

Paul-Henri Mathieu Upsets Marathon Man John Isner in Marathon Match at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Second Round

Paul-Henri Mathieu d 10 John Isner 67(2) 64 64 36 18-16

It took Paul nearly 6 hours and 7 match points to seal the victory.

This is the 2nd year Isner has lost in 5-sets - last year to Nadal in 1st R.

Remember: Isner went 70-68 in the 5th at Winby against Mahut in '10.

Mathieu: I remember Mahut's match, so I just couldn't believe it was over.

I had match point. It was tough. Every time I needed to concentrate and...

Focus again on my serve, so when the match was over...

I had trouble realising it was really over.

Photo: Getty Images

John Isner Becomes New American #1

With his Sf win at Houston John passed Mardy Fish in the rankings to #9.

And thus, ladies and gentlemen, we have a new American #1.

Big congrats, John.

He is in stellar company becoming only the 12th player since 1973.

The 12: Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi,

Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Brad Gilbert, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick,

James Blake, Mardy Fish and John Isner.

John: Even coming out of college it’s something I never could have imagined.

But as I started to improve and play better a little bit...

I knew that this could be something that was attainable for me.

I’m very thrilled. And now I have my highest ranking ever as well, No. 9.

That was my next goal, after I got to 10.

Now my newest goal is to get to eight, then seven, and then six.

Weekend Winners for April 15, 2012

ATP 250 Houston - Final

4 Juan Monaco d 2 John Isner - 62 36 63

Juan wins his 5th career title and 2nd of the 2012 season.

In the effort he has matched his ranking high of #14.

He is a clay court specialist with very few points to defend this clay swing.

If Juan plays his balls right he could quite well be a top 10 player by June.

That quest will begin this week at Monte-Carlo.

ATP 250 Casablanca - Final

3 Pablo Andujar d 7 Albert Ramos - 61 76(5)

Pablo wins his 2nd ATP title - both coming at Casablanca ('11).

The win propels him 19 spots to a ranking of #39 - one short of his high.

He will pop-over to Monte-Carlo this week where he's never played before.

He also has no matches to defend in Madrid and Rome.

If Pablo plays his balls right he could find himself seeded at Roland Garros.

WTA Copenhagen - Final

2 Angelique Kerber d 1 Caroline Wozniacki - 64 64

Ang wins her second WTA title - both coming this season.

She enjoys a rankings bump up to #14.

Ang prevented Caro from a hat-trick of titles at Copenhagen.

Caro seems to be, well... slipping.

She was #1 just a few months ago - she's currnetly ranked #6.

WTA Barcelona - Final

7 Sara Errani d 3 Dominika Cibulkova - 62 62

Sara wins her 4th WTA title and 2nd on the 2012 season.

As a result of her efforts she enjoys her highest ranking of #28.

She also took the doubles title yesterday with Roberta Vinci.

Rafael Nadal & Marc Lopez Win Doubles Title at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Doubles Final

Marc Lopez & Rafael Nadal d John Isner & Sam Querrey 62 76(3)

Well lookie here, Rafa did not leave IW without a consolation prize.

Deja vu: In 2010 Rafa lost in the Sf of singles & won dubs title with Lopez.

Marc has a good friend.

There is an idea being bandied suggesting they enter the Olympics together.

It's a cute idea but it won't happen.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Wins ATP Title at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Final

3 Roger Federer d 11 John Isner - 76(7) 63

This is Fed's 4th IW title ('04-'06, '12) and 73rd on the ATP tour.

The win also ties him with Rafael Nadal with a record 19 Masters 1000 titles.

Look out: Since his Sf loss at the US Open he's won 6 of 8 tournaments.

More specifically it amounts to a W/L of 41-3. Very impressive stats.

The 2 matches he lost this year he avenged today and yesterday.

After the match Roger told Pam Shriver that he wants the singles gold.

Miami suddenly got really interesting rankings wise...

Novak and Rafa both lost point here as Roger gained. Hmm...

Photo: Reuters

John Isner Upsets Novak Djokovic in a Thrilling Semifinal at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal

11 John Isner d 1 Novak Djokovic - 76(7) 36 76(5)

Welcome to the top 10 John. Well earned. And much deserved.

Who knew beating Federer in Davis Cup last month was just a warm-up act?

This is the 1st time John has beaten a current #1 player.

This is also John's 1st Masters 1000 final. And biggest payday.

He will contend for the title with the winner of Rafa/Roger.

Remember: He pushed Rafa to 5 sets at Roland Garros just last year.

Either player he faces tomorrow I'll give him even odds.

Added incentive: A title will make him the USA's #1 player.

As for Novak, he's now 1 for 3 in title defenses on the season.

He heads to Miami also as the defending champion.

I don't think Novak will view this match as a setback. Reset: Miami.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Practicing for John Isner's Serve

Novak took to his often funny photo site to post this hilarious pic.

It's from his practice for Isner which doesn't look like it's on-site.

He captioned it:

One of the biggest servers on tour will be on the other side of the net today.

How do I practice return?  ;-)

It's so hard not to like this adorkable kid.

Davis Cup 2012 1st Round: Roger Federer had a Pretty Tough Weekend

Davis Cup 1st Round: US d Switzerland 3-0

There's no way I would have ever thought RF would lose 2 matches in 2 days.

That's just crazy.

And they made the American's play on clay in Roger's home country.

In both matches (singles & doubles) he won the 1st set and lost in 4.

I doubt it'll sting for too long...

Roger is the top seed at Rotterdam next week - with a nice draw.

As for the surprised US team - well done guys.

Big, big win for Isner yesterday - biggest win of his career, in fairness.

The US will play the winner of Canada/France - away, again.

Rafael Nadal Survives 5 Set Scare from John Isner in First Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - First Round

1 Rafael Nadal d John Isner - 64 67(2) 67(2) 62 64

Did you hear? Rafa played (and won) his very first 5 set match ever at RG.

Well, that only took 40 matches. His W/L at RG is now a staggering 39-1.

Rafa: I only faced one break point in the while match,

But I didn’t play well in the tie-breaks; I was too nervous in my opinion.

For the rest of the match I did not play fantastic,

But I never play fantastic in the first round here so that was not unexpected.

Spare a thought for Isner who tweeted: Thanks everyone for the kind words.

Was fun out there today. Rafa is pretty good at tennis.

Indeed.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic & John Isner Engage in Twitter Battle Over Dinner with Caroline Wozniacki

Happening now. This shiz is funny.

Caro: Home alone in the house, my parents went out for dinner with some friends. Going to cook some Chicken curry with broccoli on the side for dinner.

John: @Caro We are cooking out as well. Come on over Woz!! ;)

Caro: @John what are you cooking?

John: @Caro Chicken, steak, salad, pasta, and berries. You're missing out. Just saying...

Caro: @John that sounds good :) who is "we"? who are you eating dinner with?

John: @Caro my coach and Kyle (the dude with the mullet)

***butting in...

Novak: @Caro @John And you are leaving me hungry? :-)

Caro: @Novak hahaha!!! Come over :) i have soo much food and you are only a few meters away ;) there is enough for the rest of the team too;)

John: @Novak baahahahah. Plenty of food for everyone!

Caro: @John haha Kyle with the cool hair lol.. Sounds very nice, but think i will skip this time.. Next time :)

John: @Caro OKKK. Suit yourself. Wrestling will be on at 9. How are you gonna skip out on that?

Caro: @John haha!! WoW yes Wrestling, HOW on earth can i miss out on that?? *sarcastic* ;) is it the girl again?

John: @Caro I don't know what you're talking bout Woz!

Caro: @John of course you do! The woman wrestler you are in love with ;) forgot her name :) sorry;)

Novak: @John Ok John,i am taking over now. So, @Caro where is that dinner? Ehehehehehe!

*** Boom, and just like that John is the CB victim...

Caro: @Novak here at home :) Just bring some dessert.. :)

John: @Novak Go crash her dinner.. And make sure the she doesn't burn the meat!

Caro: @John hahahaha!!! do i hear anger in your message?? lol

John: @Caro No anger but Kyle is a helluva cook and u are missing it!

Caro: @John if he is such a good cook why are you so desperately trying to eat dinner with me ;) hahaha

***Yea... that's what I was just thinking...

John: @Caro OUCH OUCH OUCH!!! geeeeeeeeeeez

***Novak with the win.

Australian Open Day 6: A Quick Summary

The following are all 3rd Round matches.

5 Andy Murray d Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - 61 61 62

Utter and complete demolition of the Spaniard. Outclassed from first ball.

Andy moves into his 13th Slam 4th round: 6-6.

He'll next play 11 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 4-0/AM.

3 Kim Clijsters d Alize Cornet - 76(3) 63

Kim wins even though playing spotty tennis.

And this is how Alize celebrated her 21st birthday.

This is Kim 7th trip to the Aussie Open 4th round: 5-1.

Incredible: She has also advanced to 23 Slam 4th rounds: 17-5.

4 Robin Soderling d Jan Hernych - 63 61 64

Ok Robin, where have you been hiding those abs? Someone call Armani!

Heads-up: Robin hasn't dropped a set and is on fire so far in 3 matches.

In fact, Robin hasn't dropped a set yet this year!

15 Marin Cilic d 20 John Isner - 46 62 67(5) 76(2) 97

Marin is trying to get to the Sf's for a 2nd straight year.

He'll next take on 1 Rafael Nadal - a player he beat pretty badly 2 years ago.

Will Marin be the one to stop the Rafa Slam?

Photos: Reuters/Getty images

USA's Isner & Mattek-Sands Win at the Hopman Cup

Hopman Cup Final

1. Justine Henin d Bethanie Mattek-Sands - 76(6) 63

2. John Isner d Ruben Bemelmans - 63 64

3. Mattek-Sands & Isner d Henin & Bemelmans - 61 63

This is the 6th Hopman Cup title for the USA & 1st since 2007.

The USA is the winningest nation at the unique mixed doubles exo event.

Well done guys. Hopefully good fortune will beget more good fortune.

Isner is now off to defend his only ATP title - at Auckland next week.

And Bethanie has drawn #2 seed Pavlyuchenkova at Sydney.

Sam Querrey & John Isner: Are They Really the Future of American Men's Tennis?

Don't get me wrong - Sam & John represent the US admirably but...

I bristle at the idea that they are the future of American men's tennis.

Sam is 23 and John is 26 in April - 2011 is a year they both need to step up.

In 2010 between them they played in a combined 23 Slams & Masters 1000's.

And not a single Qf appearance by either one in any of them.

Hell, throw in 2009 and one can count 41 Slams/1000's without a Qf showing.

In fact, John has never been to a Slam or Masters Qf.

Yes, he made history at Wimbledon - in the first round.

Sam has only been to 2 career Masters Qf's - none since Monte Carlo in '08.

Both had great years in small events...

But neither player could get higher than #18 (John) & #19 (Sam).

They are currently #19 & #20 - but Mardy Fish is the 2nd ranked US man.

I suspect S & J will show up in Australia eager (and willing) to make noise.

But at this rate - Andy Roddick is still the future of American men's tennis.

Photo: Reuters

John Isner Ace Watch: He Hits 999th of 2010 Today

Montpellier ATP 250 - Second Round

5 John Isner d Q Adrian Mannarino - 76(5) 67(5) 63

John hit 27 aces today bringing his 2010 total to a whopping 999.

He is #8 with most aces hit in a single season - Goran Ivanisevic has 1,477.

He sould be able to move up - he's 12 behind Sampras & 20 from Roddick.

John will surely hit #1,000 on Friday against the winner of Monfils/Darcis.

Memory lane: He hit 113 alone in that 11 hour match at W against Mahut.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Advances (with Another 'Tweener) at Shanghai Masters 1000

Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 - Second Round

3 Roger Federer d John Isner - 63 64

Of the matches yesterday this was the one in which I had the most interest.

I figured this match would show us just where Roger 'was at'.

Turns out I was left wondering just where John 'is at'...

Post-match: It wasn't easy but it wasn't one of these very, very difficult days.

Roger will next play Andreas Seppi in the 3rd round - H2H: 6-0/RF.

Roger is still the king of the 'tweener:

Photo: Getty Images