A bit of home comfort has helped John Isner kickstart his 2022 season with a pair of wins at the Dallas Open.
Playing in front of friendly crowd near his Dallas residence, the 36-year-old American has won consecutive matches for the first time this season following a 6-4, 6-4 result over Vasek Pospisil on Friday evening. After failing to secure a break of serve in his past 13 sets across four matches, Isner claimed a pair of early breaks to set up a straightforward quarter-final victory.
“It was the best match I’ve played all year, bar none,” Isner said post-match. “There’s no doubt about it.”
The third seed needed three tie-breaks to edge Kevin Anderson in the second round, but was able to avoid repeat drama with an efficient performance on the Southern Methodist University campus. Isner created openings in two return games on the night, and converted in both while going 2/4 on his break opportunities. After not facing a break point against Anderson, he saved the only one he faced on Friday as he served out the opening set.
“I didn’t have many chances, but when I did I capitalised on them,” Isner detailed. “A lot of times when you win a close match like I did in the first round, that kind of releases some of the pressure and you can build on that one. I think I did that tonight.”
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After hitting 30 aces in that opening-round marathon, Isner fired 19 in just 10 service games against Pospisil.
Through to his first semi-final since the National Bank Open in Toronto in August, he now awaits the winner of second seed Reilly Opelka‘s showdown against fifth seed Adrian Mannarino.