U.S. Open Match to Watch: Day 9

A men's round of 16 match between American, John Isner and Gilles Simon of France.

We'll find out with this match on Armstrong if anyone can tame the serve of John Isner.  Isner has served his way through multiple tiebreakers to reach this point. 

Simon has been getting better all summer and is trying to peak here at the Open.

These two have never played before.  You can count on Isner going big with the serve and Simon looking to stay at the baseline and rally.  Both are playing some of the best tennis of their career and it should be high quality action.

Prediction:  I like Isner to win a couple more tiebreaks and win in 4.

The Atlanta Tennis Championships in 3-D

Trying something new here.  How about getting those old red and blue 3-D glasses out and take a look at some shots from the Atlanta Tennis Championships.  Converted with an iPhone app.  Let me know what you think.

Lleyton HewittMardy FishJohn Isner in 3-D

Photos from Atlanta Tennis Championships Day 7

Mardy Fish defended his title by beating John Isner again in 3 sets.

Great, exciting tennis all week and of course, hot weather.

Mardy FishMardy FishJohn Isner feels the heatAlex Bogomolov Jr. win the doubles with Matthew EbdenDoubles actionBogomolov Jr. and Ebden show good teamwork

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

Federer Goes "Between the Legs"...Again

Roger Federer did it again.  Another between the legs shot for a winner.

This time against John Isner in the second round in Shanghai.  Isner had to know it was coming back, but the expression on his face said he was surprised and amazed at the same time.

The players now are on tot Fed.  They have to be ready for this shot to come back.  The thing is, fed is not only trying to get the ball back in play, he sees himself hitting a winner with it.