American John Isner is in position to win his second straight Winston-Salem Open after defeating top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to advance to the tournament’s final. Isner, the third seed, defeated Tsonga 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, with the third set ending after Isner won a tiebreak 7-3.
Winston-Salem Open 2012 Daily Recap: Defending Champion John Isner Advances To Finals
Isner, a native of North Carolina, will face second-seeded Tomas Berdych, who hails from the Czech Republic. Berdych defeated seventh-seeded Sam Querrey in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Querrey’s serve was dominant on Friday as he aced Berdych 18 times, but it was still not enough to win either set.
Isner and Berdych have faced each other three times in their careers. Since 2009, Berdych is 2-1 vs. Isner, with the most recent victory coming in the 2010 French Open. In that match, Berdych swept Isner in straight sets. Isner’s lone victory came in 2010, at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
See More:
For more from the 2012 Winston-Salem Open, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.