Top-seeded John Isner continued his strong run at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, reaching the semi-finals with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over fifth-seeded Alex Bogomolov on Thursday.
Isner had 21 aces — four in the tiebreak and three in the final game — while becoming the first top-seeded player to make the semis since Andy Murray in 2006. The top-seeded player has never won the title in the tournament’s 35 years.
“I served really well. That was the difference,” Isner said. “It was huge. I felt like in the first set I played tentative. I got away with it because of my serve. I was lucky there.”
Isner will next play eighth-seeded Tobias Kamke of Germany, who beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
They will play on Center Court today following the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies that highlight the week. Andre Agassi headlines the class that will be enshrined during the on-court ceremony.
Isner’s final ace of the tiebreak gave him a 5-4 lead. Bogomolov then tied it with a well-placed forehand crossing shot before his next shot hit the net string and fell short, giving Isner a 6-5 edge.
On Isner’s next serve, Bogomolov hit backhand long. Isner pumped his fist and Bogomolov pounded his racket into the grass in disgust.
SWEDISH OPEN
AP, BASTAD, SWEDEN
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic reached the Swedish Open semi-finals on Thursday after ousting second-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on Thursday.
Zahlavova Strycova became the highest seed left at No. 7, after fourth-seeded Lourdes Dominquez Lino of Spain also bowed.
Johanna Larsson of Sweden beat Dominguez Lino 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
Sofia Arvidsson ensured an all-Swedish semi-final — and a Swede in today’s final — when she knocked out 2009 champion Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in 3 hours and 9 minutes. They broke each other only once in the last two sets of their first meeting.
Eighth-seeded Polona Hercog of Slovenia beat Vesna Dolonts of Russia 6-2, 6-4 and was due to face Zahlavova Strycova yesterday.
BUDAPEST GRAND PRIX
AP, BUDAPEST
At the Budapest Grand Prix on Thursday, second-seeded Sara Errani of Italy defeated Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-1.
Spain’s Estrella Cabeza Candela beat Eva Birnerova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Top-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy defeated Hungary’s Timea Babos 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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