Top-seeded John Isner overpowered Dudi Sela on Sunday to successfully defend his Atlanta Open title, blowing serve after serve past the 1.75-meter Israeli player in a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Serving for the match, the 2.08-meter Isner fell behind 30-0 before Sela sent a backhand into the net, and then watched almost helplessly as the American ripped three straight aces for the win. Isner finished with 15 aces to Sela’s two.
“I consider myself very fortunate that this tournament is even here,” Isner said. “It’s a big advantage to be in Georgia and have the support.”
Isner served beyond 225 kph on several occasions, while Sela was in the 185 kph range. Isner also crushed Sela’s second serves, which often traveled at around 130 mph, to win 61 percent of Sela’s second serves.
At Gstaad… Pablo Andujar of Spain won his first title in more than two years on Sunday, beating Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-3, 7-5 in the Swiss Open final.
Andujar got the only break in the first set to take a 5-3 lead and then held serve to close out the set. Monaco jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second and served for the set up 5-3. But Andujar reeled off four straight games, clinching the match by holding serve at love.
