John Isner rallies to reach Atlanta Open final

“He’s solid, very quick”, Isner said about Kudla.

Canadian Vasek Pospisil is done at the Atlanta Open.

The big-serving American claimed a 7-6 (7/5) 6-4, one break of serve in the second set all he needed to book his place in the last four.

Yet it wouldn’t come to pass as Isner would break Kudla on his second match point in the 12th game to seal a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win to reach his fifth final in Atlanta. Sock, now at a singles ranking of 35, found himself quickly exhausted by weather and humidity, losing the momentum he had amassed in the first set.

Defending his points from last year’s final, John will be sure to remain in the top 20 even after the tournament of Atlanta is over.

Stung, Isner raised his game, blasting nine aces and breaking Kudla twice.

Waiting for Isner will be No. 5 seed Marcos Baghdatis.

Baghdatis served for the match at 6-5 in the third set, only to tighten up and allow Muller to force a deciding tie-break. Plus, in his first ATP semifinal (to Isners 39th), Kudla suddenly didnt recognize his friend after that first set.“He stayed a little more disciplined than he would in some practice moments, ” Kudla said. “I’m glad I was able to take advantage of the opportunity knowing it was his first match and he had no rhythm”. He eventually clinched victory when Kudla uncharacteristically sent a crosscourt backhand sailing wide. “In the beginning, he was trying to pick his spots and I could get a racket on it. When he gets up toward 140, that’s when it gets tough”.

Top-seeded Mike and Bob Bryan won the first doubles semifinal Saturday in fashion befitting the mismatch that appeared on paper. The most successful doubles team in history beat Donald Young and Christopher Eubanks 6-2, 6-4 for their record 942nd career win together.

Young and Eubanks, an Atlanta native and rising sophomore at nearby Georgia Tech playing in his first ATP main draw, scored just five points against 41 serves in their third match together. That tactic, and perhaps Muller feeling the pressure of trying to reach his first ATP final since Atlanta in 2012, proved key.

The American beat Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), reports ABC News.