Quick Change Means Quick 3rd Set for Isner at ATC

NORCROSS, Georgia - If you've ever been to an NBA game, they have a half-time act that apears around the country called "Quick Change."  It's a man and a woman that change clothes every couple seconds and it's amazing.

A quick change of clothing in between the 2nd and 3rd sets seemed to refresh John Isner enough to get him into his second straight Atlanta Tennis Championships finals.

Isner held on to defeat a tricky lefty in Gilles Muller 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 to set up a possible rematch Sunday with fellow American and friend, Mardy Fish.

Muller seemed to find his range in the second set as he raced out to commanding lead in the tiebreak forcing the third set.  “It took a lot of hard work to win that second set, and I threw it all away to start the third,” griped Muller.

After a hold to start the third set, Muller committed an unforced error giving Isner another break point.  Isner converted with an overhead and Muller promptly broke his racquet.

Isner credits the gear change with helping him.  “I know it takes a long time for me to change (everything) with my ankle braces, it definitely refreshed me, it did today, it did the other night.”

Isner recorded 28 aces for the match with a first serve percentage of 72%.  Muller didn’t convert on either of the two break points he had in the match.

John Isner served 28 aces in his semi

Photos from Atlanta Tennis Championships Day 5

Quarter-finals day in Atlanta.  Winners in the first three matches were Muller, Isner and Fish.  Should be some competitive SFs tomorrow.

Gilles Muller takes the first quarter

Gilles MullerOver #2 seed, Kevin Anderson

The college doubles team of Bernstein and King

John Isner interviewed by the ESPN guys after his win

Somdev Devvarman

Mardy Fish

Ross Hutchins holding court at the Corona Beach Bar

Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins and some friends

Pictures from Atlanta Tennis Championships Day 3

Humid conditions for the players as singles and doubles were both showcased.

#2 Seed, Kevin Anderson

Hometown boy Robby Ginepri lost to Gilles Muller

Gilles Muller

John Insner played the evening match in cooler conditions

Against his good friend, James Blake

Pictures from Atlanta Tennis Championships Day 2

Some long close matches on the grounds today.  Ryan Harrison was impressive and #5 seed Grigor Dimitrov was upset.

Ryan Harrison

American Phillip Simmons was playing in his first main draw of an ATP Tour event in 5 years

Lleyton Hewitt appeared healthy as he took out Simmonds

Many fans turned out to watch Yen-Hsun Lu

Grigor Dimitrov was an upset victim

Yuichi Sugita of Japan took on Ryan Harrison

Pictures from Atlanta Tennis Championships Day 1

The last 4 qualifying matches were decided early in the afternoon making way for main draw play to start in earnest at 4pm.

The practice courts were packed all day with the likes of Mardy Fish, Lleyton Hewitt and a lot of doubles play.

Mardy Fish sweating it out during a practice session.

Fish spent time practicing with Lleyton Hewitt

Impressive today....

Michael Russell

and Somdev Devvarman

Not impressive today... Donald Young

Mardy Fish talked about being the #1 American player