London (Reuters)
American heavy-hitting John Isner knocked out double Wimbledon champion Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-4 with his aces in a second-round match.
While the 37-year-old Isner came closer than ever to Ivo Karlovic’s record of 13,728 aces on the ATP Tour, it was Murray’s quickest exit even though he clinched a tiebreak to win the third set. .
Chants of “Go Andy” resounded across the main court, before the stadium roof was opened and the Briton’s hopes faded with the evening lights.
Isner broke Murray in the third game of the first set, then held his serve under heavy pressure from his opponent in the next game, when the Scot, who attacked him with elaborate backhands, had two break points.
The tall American made the most of his aces, firing five aces en route to a 6-4 set, while Murray’s shot was more turbulent.
Murray looked in trouble after losing the second set, as the 20th-ranked Isner showed great strength on his indefatigable first serve with nine more aces.
The Briton, finding he was serving to stay in the match 4-5 down in the third set, got past that hurdle but Isner held on and kept pressing in the second tiebreak, which Murray won.
The fourth set went with serve, before Isner broke his opponent’s serve again to advance 3-2, hold on and send to win, while Murray, who was at the top of the international rankings for professional players a few years ago, continued to decline.
#Murray #continues #retreat