He is 19-3 at this event in his career after his three set win in the semifinals over Denis Kudla 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. His parents brought the dog to Atlanta from their home in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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On this day the only thing more risky than the sound of Isner’s serve was the sight of Baghdatis actually making contact. Baghdatis has taken a set off Isner in three of the five. He will chase his 10th career title, and fifth in Atlanta. When I’m missing serves it’s generally because my ball toss is not in the right spot… “I’ve got to go there even more prepared than I was before”.
Isner is trying to reach the Atlanta final for the fifth time in six years.
Muller will also play in the doubles semi final with his British partner Colin Fleming, opposite Eric Butorac and Kiwi Artem Sitak. After dropping the set, he began unleashing his greatest weapon and a handful of his serves hit 140 and 141 miles per hour.
“That’s not the way I wanted to finish a tournament but my body couldn’t handle it today so I’m really sorry I couldn’t compete 100 per cent but I tried my best”, he said without explaining the exact nature of his injury.
But Baghdatis won the first three points of the tie-break and this time capitalised to win through.
Isner, who sent down 13 aces, said to Baghdatis at the on-court trophy presentation: “I didn’t want to win like that”. He’s not a serve and volley guy… On the opening point, he serve-and-volleyed. Yes, they are glad to see their teammates and coaches and sure, they enjoy playing football; but there’s also the knowledge their fleeting summers away from meetings and practices are over. “I feel like I did a pretty good job out there today though”.
Fifth-seeded Baghdatis only “easy” match was in his first round against Austin Krajicek; after holding onto one break to take the first set 6-4, Baghdatis dominated the second at 6-0.
After scoring on just one of Muller’s 23 first serves in the first set, Baghdatis scored on 9 of 26 of Muller’s serves in the second set and on 20 of 47 in the third. “He started flattening out his serve. It’s obvious”, Isner said. Curling a forehand crosscourt to create open space, Isner slid a forehand victor down the line.
“Baghdatis will be different”, Isner said. Isner threw down another love hold consolidating for 4-2.
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Isner needed just over an hour to secure the victory, which earned him 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and $106,565.
