John Isner wins Atlanta Open
John Isner won the Atlanta Open by beating Kevin Anderson 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in the final.
ATLANTA (AP) - Top-seeded John Isner won the Atlanta Open on Sunday, beating second-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in the tallest final in ATP history.
The 6-foot-10 Isner, who lost in the Atlanta final in 2010 and 11 to fellow American Mardy Fish, won his seventh career title. Anderson is 6-foot-8.
Isner rallied to win two tiebreakers, pushing his ATP-best tiebreaker record to 27-6.
All three sets were played on serve, and Anderson lost serve only once in four matches.
In the third tiebreaker, however, Isner scored off Anderson s first, third, fourth and fifth serves to win 7-2. The last point came when Anderson sent a backhand into the net.
Isner will move up from his world rank of 22 and likely pass Sam Querry (20) as the top American. Isner is 6-3 against Anderson, who began the tournament ranked No. 21.
Isner earned $98,700, and Anderson took home $52,000.
