John Isner Upsets Tomas Berdych, Makes Washington Semifinals

WASHINGTON--John Isner recovered remarkably from a second set meltdown that would have left many players mentally pulverized.

The unseeded Isner defeated #8 seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-7(10), 6-2 to advance to his second semifinal of the US Open series, and his second semifinal at Washington as well.  The win was Isner's second  victory over a top twenty player this week (he beat #9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round), doubling his previous total number of top twenty scalps for his entire career to four.

But Berdych fought admirably to delay Isner's victory.  The ATP #18 and Czech #1 saved an incredible three match points with Isner serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, and another one in the tiebreak to win the second set 7-6 (12-10), and seemingly grabbing all possible momentum as well.

But Isner, after throwing a well-deserved tantrum between sets, stayed focused, remaining tough as Berdych expected him to fold.  Isner put pressure on Berdych's serve immediately in the third, and was able to break in Berdych's second service game in the decider, and again in the last game of the match for a 6-2 victory in the decider.

I've seen Isner play in person an absurd amount of times, probably close to twelve or so.  There's only been one match of his in his years in Washington that I didn't see.  And having seen all those twelve, I can safely say that this was his most impressive match yet.  Against an opponent with a lot more experience in big matches, he shook off a second set choke that would have left the vast majority of the ATP in the fetal position.

I caught up with Isner after the match to get his thoughts on the win, facing Andy Roddick in the semifinal for what will be a rematch of their 2007 Washington final, and just how well he thought he performed out there tonight.

TDF: Impressive, coming back from having set points in the second, but still recovering to get the win?

John Isner:  They were match points, yeah.  AND they were on my serve. So that's--I like my chances there 99 times out of 100.  He played well on those points.  I got locked in, maybe, with my "T" serve on the deuce and out wide on the Ad too much, probably should have mixed it up more.

But I didn't panic, didn't get frustrated.  I knew there was a whole 'nother set to play.  And if I just kept on imposing my will maybe I could get it done.

TDF: And now you play Andy Roddick here again, tomorrow in the semifinals...

John Isner: Yeah, it's gonna be fun.  I'm the underdog, may be a little tired.  But it's gonna--gosh, it's gonna be a packed house out there, seven o'clock Saturday night.  Gonna be a lot of fun.

TDF: Do you think this is one of the best matches you've ever played tonight?

John Isner: Um, quality-wise, no.  The first set was sloppy on both ends, and a lot of the second set was sloppy.  I think towards the end of the match he picked up his game, and then I had to pick up my game in the third.

We both were kind of sluggish, for whatever reason.  Both making a lot of errors in the first set.  It's kind of difficult coming out there and playing at night--I don't know what it is.

But I felt like I competed.  This is one of the best matches I've ever competed through.

::

I'm not sure he's giving himself enough credit.  All the same--with how he played today, and how vulnerable Andy Roddick has looked on serve this week, I still think Isner's got a great shot of making it to the final.