Tennis: Former Bulldog Isner Wins U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
By Danny Bishop
Mar 25, 2013; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Marin Cilic (CRO) returns a shot back to John Isner (USA) during their match at the Sony Open. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Former Georgia men’s tennis standout and seven-time All-America John Isner on Sunday won his sixth professional tournament as he captured the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship crown at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston.
It was Isner’s first win this year as he defeated world No. 12 Nicolas Almagro in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. The UGA letterwinner served up seven aces in the final and a record 64 in the tournament, breaking Pete Sampras’ mark of 60 set in 2002.
Isner is the first American to appear in an ATP tour final in 2013, advancing with wins over Americans Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock, Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania, and the defending champion Juan Monaco of Argentina.
The Greensboro, N.C., native was a star at Georgia from 2004-07 and still holds the school’s all-time singles and doubles wins records. He led the Bulldogs to the 2007 national championship as well as the 2006 and 2007 SEC regular-season titles.