American John Isner was able to win his first match closer than expected at the 2012 U.S. Open against Belgium’s Xavier Malisse on Wednesday. Isner, who is the No. 9 seed, defeated Malisse three sets to one by a score of 6-3, 7-6 (5), 5-7 and 7-6 (9). One key to Isner getting the win was that he converted 20 aces.
U.S. Open 2012 Scores: John Isner Escapes With 1st Round Win
Two of Isner’s wins came from tiebreaker on the second and also the fourth set. In that final set, Malisse was giving it all to try to extend the match, but after going back and forth on a few tiebreakers it was Isner who pulled out the final set, and the match. Isner won when Malisse botched a routine backhand volley that went short and hit the net.
Isner’s next match will be against Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen.
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