Tennis: Isner, Monfils Cruise Into Washington Quarters
Muhammad Rameez Published July 22, 2016 | 10:53 AM
WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd july,2016) - US top seed John Isner and French second seed Gael Monfils breezed into the ATP and WTA Washington Open quarter-finals Thursday with impressive serving performances in straight-set triumphs. Isner blasted 15 aces in downing Cypriot 15th seed Marcos Baghdatis 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 while Monfils fired 12 aces and won 22 of 23 first-serve points in defeating Croatian teen 16th seed Borna Coric 6-2, 6-3.
Neither winner faced a break point. "When you win most of your points with the serve, you can focus on your shots and you feel less pressure," Monfils said. "I've been serving much better this year.
I've changed some motions with my legs. "I serve a lot and it's working so I enjoy it. I trust my serve and the court is fast so I can switch from my defense to attack." Monfils, the 2011 Washington runner-up, will next meet US eighth seed Sam Querrey, who ousted Ukraine 11th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. Three-time Washington runner-up Isner next faces US fifth seed Steve Johnson, who ousted American qualifier Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-4.
Johnson won his first ATP crown last month at Nottingham. "He turned a corner and he has carried that confidence over," Isner said of Johnson.
"He's playing very well. This is an extremely tough match." No American has won the Washington title since Andy Roddick in 2007. "Still the number one is John," Monfils said.
"I will get to the final if I can. I've got to focus on my game." Ball-bashing Ivo Karlovic, the 37-year-old Croatian who won last week at Newport to become the ATP's oldest singles champion since 1979, smashed 21 aces in dumping Australian third seed Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. US sixth seed Jack Sock downed Britain's Daniel Evans 6-1, 7-5, to book a last-eight date with Karlovic, the only men's quarter-finalist not among the top eight seeds. "It's a good tournament for big servers," Isner said.
"Myself, Karlovic is still alive, Jack and Stevie. A big serve and a forehand." Sock hit only 44 percent of his first serves but won 23 of 25 first-serve points. "I was able to 1-2 punch, serve and forehand and get a few points that way," Sock said. French fourth seed Benoit Paire outlasted Luxembourg's 14th-seeded Gilles Muller 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) and will play Germany's Alexander Zverev for a semi-final spot. Zverev, 19, matched his Washington run last year by beating Tunisia's Malek Jaziri 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 March 2024
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP-WTA Miami Open results: collated
12 hours ago -
Pak, NZ T20I series online ticket booking from tomorrow
13 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
14 hours ago -
Nottingham Forest's double European Cup winner Lloyd dies
14 hours ago -
Two more matches decided in Inter College Ramadan T-20 Cup
14 hours ago -
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
23 hours ago
-
Sinner and Medvedev book Miami Open semi-final clash
23 hours ago -
Collins and Alexandrova fight into Miami semi-finals
1 day ago -
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
1 day ago -
Van Aert in high-speed crash in Around Flanders race
1 day ago -
PCB announces inter-club One-Day tournament
2 days ago -
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman
2 days ago