John Isner of United States won the BB&T Atlanta Open on Sunday to set an early lead at the Emirates Airline US Open Series rankings. The American defeated Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 in a match that lasted almost three hours, the longest best-of-three match of this season so far.
Isner pocketed $98,700 and earned 250 ranking points to make his way back in the world’s top 20. Anderson received $52,000 and 150 ranking points.
“This is a tournament where I could’ve been out in my first match,” said Isner. “I lived on the edge all week and seemed to come through each and every time. It’s very encouraging.
“I’ve been on the wrong end of a final that close before – maybe not three tie-breakers close, but super close, having match point, having a lot of chances – so it feels good to be on the other end of that. I never wavered. I believed that even at 0/40 that I could still hold on and was able to come up with the goods,” he added.
Both players will be in Washington, D. C. this week for the ATP 500 Citi Open. Isner is seeded 8th while Anderson is 7th.
