Isner Serves Up Rublev Upset To Reach Toronto QFs
John Isner maintained his perfect record against World No. 7 Andrey Rublev as he took down the Olympic mixed doubles gold medalist in a 7-5, 7-6(5) upset on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.
The 6’10” American has found his best tennis on the North American hard courts in recent weeks. Isner claimed the doubles title in Los Cabos (w/ Hach Verdugo) and lifted his sixth trophy at the Truist Atlanta Open.
In Toronto, Isner extended his winning streak to eight consecutive matches as he defeated Rublev in straight sets. The American claimed his second Top 10 victory of the year after also defeating Rublev in Madrid in May, improving to 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head.
“I think I have taken care of myself very well. I rarely take a day completely off, and that’s even if it’s a travel day after playing lots and lots of tennis,” Isner said. “I’m not afraid to take time off the tennis court, but I’ve got to keep my body moving other ways, whether that’s on a stationary bike… or go to the gym and lift weights with my trainer.
“At 36, I really do feel every bit as good as I did eight, ten years ago.”
Isner, the No. 30 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings, was dictating play with his booming serve from the start of the match. He fired 29 winners, including 20 aces, and saved all four break points he faced en route to victory.
Rublev worked hard to defend his own serve, but was constantly under pressure from Isner. The American returned with confidence, creating six break chances in three of Rublev’s service games in the opening set. Rublev was the first to blink, as a double fault at 6-5 handed the opening tilt to Isner.
Isner continued to erase the few opportunities that Rublev was able to create. In the second set, the American faced four break points at 3-3. From 0/40, he fired three aces, and outrallied Rublev to keep them on serve. Isner rallied from a 0/3 deficit in the tie-break to seal the victory after an hour and 44 minutes.
[WATCH LIVE 1]“The conditions were a bit tough on centre court. It’s been a little bit swirly,” Isner said. “I did know that Andrey was struggling with that. He was a little bit off kilter from the very get-go, I think. I could tell he was exhibiting some frustration out there.
“When I knew that he was a bit rattled early on, I just told myself I had to be the one to keep a cooler head. I think that helped me prevail in the end.”
Through to his 18th ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, Isner will take on 11th seed Gael Monfils, who defeated lucky loser Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 7-6(2) to reach his first tour-level quarter-final since 2020. This is Isner’s third quarter-final appearance in Canada, having reached this stage in Toronto in 2012 and in Montreal in 2015.