Isner power past Hewitt at Newport

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Isner power past Hewitt at Newport

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John Isner beat Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 to win the ATP Hall of Fame Championships title.

16 July,2012 05:52 am

John Isner fired 16 aces in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 victory over Australian Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday to win the ATP Hall of Fame Championships title for the second straight year.Its huge for me, the top-seeded American said. Its the first time Ive ever defended a title. Im very happy to come through today against a great opponent -- in my opinion one of the greatest ever. Its a big win for me.Hewitt, who received a wild card into the draw, was playing in his first final since June 2010, when he captured his 28th career title on the grass courts at Halle.The two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one from Australia has battled a string of injuries in recent years and underwent radical foot surgery in February.Isners triumph ended Hewitts unbeaten career run in grass court finals, putting his record at 7-1.But with his run to the championship match, Hewitt is projected to rise from his current 233rd in the world to about 151 in the world rankings.His performance was also a morale-builder as he prepares for the Olympic tennis competition at Wimbledon, where the 31-year-old Aussie will play singles as a wild card entrant.Isner is also slated for Olympic action and welcomed the chance to tune-up for the Games with tournament competition.Hell fit in one more ATP tournament before the Games, heading the field at the Atlanta tournament that starts on Monday.