John Isner makes winning start in Atlanta

Reigning champion John Isner has started his bid for a fifth title at the Atlanta Open with a 6-2, 6-3, win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur,National Daily gathered.

The Wimbledon semi-finalist, who has won the tournament in four out of the past five years, required just 62 minutes to book his place in the quarter-finals. Hitting 15 aces and dropping just two points behind his first serve.

“It was a pretty comprehensive win. You never know how you’re going to come out. This was my first match on hard court since Miami so it’s been a little bit and hadn’t practised too much because the focus was on resting after that long match (at Wimbledon) so I’m very happy.” Isner told atpworldtour.com.

Isner’s win has booked him a showdown against German seventh seed Mischa Zverev. Zverev defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-2, in his second round match. It is the first time the 30-year-old has reached the quarter-finals of a hard court tournament since October.