Nishioka’s semifinals is expected to be considerably more challenging because he will face second-seeded Nick Kyrgios, who knocked off fifth-seeded Fernando Verdasco in his quarterfinal match 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.
Advertisement
The 18-year-old Opelka, at 6-11 an inch taller than Isner, topped seventh-seeded Donald Young 6-4, 6-4 in another all-American match. “He missed an easy volley, and I played a good point at 30-40”. Isner hasn’t played well in tiebreakers this year and has lost several in which he should have won. “I think I’d be No. 1 in the world”. This news story is related to Latest/140791-Kyrgios-topples-Nishioka-to-reach-Atlanta-final/ – breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne.
The 18th-ranked Kyrgios is playing for his first final since he defeated Marin Cilic to win his first ATP title in Marseille in February.
The Aussie will now play 20-year-old, rising Japanese star Yoshihito Nishioka in the semis, after he breezed past Argentine veteran Horacio Zeballos 6-4 6-4 in his quarter-final.
Isner, who has won ten career singles titles, has played in Atlanta ever since the tournament moved to the capital of Georgia in 2010. Kyrgios was dominant on serve, firing 16 aces and saving three of four break points. The last of his 10 tour titles came in Atlanta a year ago. Nishioka saves match point with a 40-0 win, but fails to do so for a second consecutive time, as Kyrgios takes the ninth game 40-15 to claim the semifinal victory.
“We were both serving well, both hitting big and to be honest I was feeling pretty average towards the end and I’m just glad I got through”.
Isner opened his 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open campaign on Wednesday, defeating Adrian Mannarino of France in straight sets.
Advertisement
“I’ve been working on my serve a lot”. “In a battle of power between the 6’10” Isner and the 6’11” Opelka, the older American more than doubles his junior on aces, firing 13 aces to 6 against Reilly Opelka.
