Advertisement
Advertisement
John Isner of the US returns the ball to Dudi Sela of Israel during their men's singles final at the BB&T Atlanta Open in Georgia. Photo: EPA

John Isner overpowers Dudi Sela to defend Atlanta title

American fires 15 aces to end run of diminutive Israeli who was trying to win for his countrymen

Top seed John Isner claimed the Atlanta Open title for the second successive year with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Israel's Dudi Sela.

The towering world number 12 cracked down 15 aces to end the run of the diminutive Sela, who was playing in his first ATP title for six years.

"This is my favourite time of year," Isner said. "I'm off to a very good start again. I look forward to playing in Washington again [this week]. I've played well there my whole career."

I wanted the win today for my people in Israel. It's not easy the situation over there
Dudi Sela 

Isner's familiar form helped him capture the opening set in 34 minutes as he won 14 of 15 points on his dominant first serve.

Trying to close out the match, Isner fell behind 30-0 in the final game but ripped off three straight aces to clinch the victory. "Right from the very beginning I felt great," Isner said.

John Isner kisses the trophy after defeating Dudi Sela of Israel to win the Atlanta Open. Photo: AFP

"These [hot] conditions favour me quite a bit. I couldn't ask for better conditions."

American Isner was playing in his fourth Atlanta final in five years. He was runner-up to Mardy Fish in 2010 and 2011, and won the title last year by defeating South African Kevin Anderson.

Isner is now 16-3 in his career at the Atlanta Open.

Sela said he had hoped to record a win for the people back home. A 20-day-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza has claimed more than 1,000 lives.

"I wanted the win today for my people in Israel. It's not easy the situation over there and hopefully it will be better," Sela said. "I tried to play for [that] theme but John was too tough."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Isner overpowers Sela to defend Atlanta title
Post