Alexander Zverev vs John Isner (7-6 [7-4], 4-6, 4-6)
It was a long wait, but 32-year-old John Isner finally got the biggest title of his career to cap a memorable week for the USA and their tennis live betting fans.
After Sloane Stephens won the Miami Open women’s final 24 hours earlier, Isner beat online betting favourite and two-time champion Alexander Zverev to give the Americans their first double in the competition since 2004.
It wasn’t an easy feat though, with Isner needing to fight back from a set down to defy betting odds and overcome the World No.5.
Zverev seemed to be on his way to a third Miami title after surviving five break points and forcing a tie-break in the first set. With Isner losing four consecutive points and feeling fatigued, the German took advantage to win the opener.
Despite Isner’s dispiriting performance in the first frame, however, the US crowd didn’t abandon their home hero and rallied him in the following sets.
The crowds’ cheer undoubtedly helped the American as he found the resolve to keep trying. At 4-4 in the second set, Isner earned a break and served his way to level the match despite a tremendous defence from Zverev.
It was the same story in the decider as Isner was nearly flawless on serve. The 20-year-old Zverev didn’t back down easily and saved three break points early in the set, but Isner was just unstoppable and eventually ended the match with three aces in a row.
“Somewhere along in the second set, I found a second wind and felt much better,” Isner said after his win. “To win like that, with a crowd like that, you just can’t replicate that.”
Isner finished with 18 aces as he put all his finals failures behind him. He was 0-3 in all the major tour finals he played in before Miami Open and time seemed to be running out for him to win a big title.
With the victory, he also became the first American man to win the title in Miami since Andy Roddick in 2010. The World No.17 will now move back to the top 10 in the new men’s ranking.
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