(New York) John Isner’s career came to an appropriate end, in a tiebreaker in the final set.
Isner volleyed into the net to end the match and what he had announced would be his last singles tournament. He was defeated 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(7) in the second round of the US Open by fellow American Michael Mmoh.
” It’s hard. I’d like to think I worked as hard as I could,” Isner said, barely containing his emotions as the crowd cheered.
The 38-year-old Isner took advantage of a free pass from the organizers to participate in the main draw. He hit 48 aces and won 86% of the points contested on his first serve. He also committed 63 unforced errors.
Later Thursday, Isner also lost in doubles. He and Jack Sock lost 6-2, 3-6 and 7-6 (10-3) to Robert Galloway and Albano Olivetti.
In singles, Isner reached No. 8 in the world in 2018, his career-high ranking, shortly after he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
He won 16 titles and hit 14,470 aces, setting the ATP record. He got 113 in the longest match ever, in the first round at Wimbledon against Nicolas Mahut, in 2010. The 11 hour and five minute duel ended 70-68 in the fifth set.
In the next round, Mmoh will face Jack Draper, who upset Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 7-5. Draper, a 21-year-old Briton, returned to action in August after a two-month absence with a shoulder injury.
Against Hurkacz, he prevailed thanks to good serves and good play from the bottom of the field. For his part, the Pole seemed to lack energy and requested a doctor’s visit during the third set.
Hurkacz, seeded 17, was hoping for a good tournament after reaching the semi-finals in Cincinnati.
On the women’s side, second seed Aryna Sabalenka easily beat Britain’s Jodie Burrage 6-2, 6-3. In the third round, she will face France’s Clara Burel, who defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2.
American Madison Keys, No. 17, also reached the third round thanks to an expeditious victory of 6-1, 6-2 against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.
Jannik Sinner reached the third round with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Sinner, seeded sixth, improved his career record against his compatriots to 10-0.
He will be hoping for a long run in New York, having reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this summer and the quarter-finals at the US Open last year, losing in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz after having had a match point.
“I think my game continues to improve a little bit, to develop,” said Sinner, who won 80% of the points contested on his first serve. Physically, I feel good. We’ll see ! »
Sinner, 22, also won 22 of 25 points when he came to the net.
12th seeded Alexander Zverev beat fellow German Daniel Altmaier 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. In the next round, he will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
Murray committed 45 unforced errors in the loss.
Three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka prevailed 7-6(6), 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-2 over Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina. The 38-year-old Swiss triumphed in New York in 2016.
Alcaraz plays against Lloyd Harris before the last game of the evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium, a duel between American Jessica Pegula and Romanian Patricia Tig.
Third seed Daniil Medvedev will feature at Louis Armstrong Stadium, facing Australia’s Christopher O’Connell.
Caroline Wozniacki will play her third round match on Friday afternoon, against American Jennifer Brady.
Favorite Iga Swiatek will also be in action in the afternoon, while Novak Djokovic will play in the evening.
