Isner tops Bublik to win fourth ATP title on grass

New York, JulY 22 

American John Isner captured his fourth title at the ATP grass court tournament at Newport, Rhode Island, beating Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

 Isner, who was sidelined by a stress fracture in his left foot for three months after reaching the Miami final in March, was the top seed in the tournament that he also won in 2011, 2012 and 2017.

 Bublik, the seventh-seeded 22-year-old from Kazakhstan who was playing in his first ATP final, double-faulted on break point to fall behind 3-2 in the second set, and that was the only opening the big-serving Isner needed.

 The 34-year-old American — who produced only a modest five aces but put 79 percent of his first serves in play — finished off the match with a forehand winner even as he slipped on the grass and sprawled forward.

He converted all three of his break points in the game, including on match point when the Kazakh failed in his bid to catch Isner out with an underarm serve on the final point.

While that didn’t pan out, Isner urged Bublik to continue to pursue his “quirky” game.

“It was a lot of fun to play against you today,” Isner told him. 

“You’re very quirky, but I mean that in a very sincere way. You’re fantastic for the game and we all hope you continue to have great results in the future because guys like you are important to keep tennis exciting.”  

The towering American also had words of thanks for his team, especially his physical therapist. — AFP

Australian McNamara passes away  

Melbourne: Australia’s Peter McNamara, who won three doubles Grand Slam titles and became a prominent coach after hanging up his racquet, has died at the age of 64 after a quiet battle with cancer. Melbourne man McNamara won five singles titles and 19 in doubles and teamed up with compatriot Paul McNamee to win the Australian Open doubles in 1979 and Wimbledon twice in 1980 and 1982. After retiring in 1987, the former world No. 7 seven singles player enjoyed a successful coaching career, mentoring Mark Philippoussis, Grigor Dimitrov and Wang Qiang, among others. News of his death triggered a slew of tributes on social media for a tennis figure renowned for his warmth and generosity. Reuters