Top-seed John Isner beats Dennis Novikov to Advance to Semifinals at Newport HOF Tournament

By Ken Bell

kbell@abc6.com

HOT TENNIS TODAY AT THE NEWPORT HALL OF FAME CHAMPIONSHIPS ON A STEAMY FRIDAY FOR THE ONLY GRASS COURTS TOURNAMENT IN AMERICA.

AND TOP SEEDED JOHN ISNER ON THE NEAR SIDE, FACING FELLOW AMERICAN DENNIS NOVIKOV.

AND ISNER SERVES UP ONE OF HIS 20 ACES IN THIS MATCH…JOHN ISNER A TWO TIME CHAMPION IN NEWPORT…

AND ISNER WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME TODAY…HERE THE EASY WINNER.

AND CHECK OUT THE BACKHAND RETURN TOO HOT TO HANDLE…ISNER ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS AFTER A 6–4, 6–4 VICTORY.

(Isner talks about win) 

(ISNER)

I started the match off well, I was threatening early on, didn’t cash in first few games but eventually at three all I did. Just one of those matches on the surface like this with two pretty good servers that’s how it can go, you just get one break and try to hold on to it. I’m happy to get off the court in pretty quick fashion, so I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.

ISNER WILL FACE BJORN FRATANGELO IN THE SATURDAY SEMIFINALS.  FRATANGELO DEFEATED PIERRE HUGHES HERBERT IN THREE SETS.