TIL Desk Sports/ Big-hitting American John Isner kept his title defence alive but needed all his experience to see off Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3), 7-6(4) on Friday to return to the Miami Open final. The 18-year-old Canadian led Isner 5-3 in each set and both times allowed the defending champion off the hook, unable to deliver the knockout, as the towering American fought back and extended his tiebreak record to 9-0 in the tournament.
Isner will meet Roger Federer, who cruised into his fifth Miami Open final with an impressive 6-2, 6-4 victory over Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov later on Friday. “For sure (it was) nerves,” said Auger-Aliassime, the youngest men’s semi-finalist in the tournament’s 35-year history. “It’s like I caught a virus or something. I don’t know. I couldn’t put a second serve anymore.
“Even the first serve, if you put it in, you don’t have to hit the second serve. That’s just very tough to swallow.” Auger-Aliassime had appeared unbothered by being on the big stage against the crowd favourite playing attacking, aggressive tennis that rewarded him with the early break in each set. Yet serving for the set, the 18-year-old’s inexperience and nerves were exposed.
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