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Top seed John Isner out of Citi Open in Washington DC

Saturday 23 July 2016 16:23, UK

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: John Isner of the United States of America looks on against Steve Johnson of the United States of America during day 5 of the Cit
Image: John Isner was knocked out by fellow American Steve Johnson

​Top seed John Isner was ousted from the ATP Citi Open in Washington DC on Friday, paying the price for squandering leads in two tie-breakers.

Isner unleashed a 29-ace barrage at US fifth seed Steve Johnson, but failed to capitalise on five set points in the first set and seven in the second in falling 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (17-15).

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"Those were very easily tie-breakers I could have won but I didn't," said Isner. "I had countless chances. I did a lot of really great things. I put more pressure on him than he did on me. It didn't pay off."

Isner made his first double fault on the penultimate point, then smacked a forehand wide to hand Johnson the victory after an hour and 57 minutes, the last 23 minutes of it in the tension-packed tie-breaker.

"I shot myself in the foot in the second set," he said.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: John Isner of the United States of America returns a shot to Steve Johnson of the United States of America during day 5 of the Ci
Image: A double fault in the penultimate point sent Isner on his way to being knocked out

Johnson fired 22 aces of his own, denied Isner on six break points and took his second win in six meetings with Isner.

"He was serving extremely well," Johnson said. "I didn't have any break points. I was able to scrap out the first set. I got very lucky when he double faulted at the end and I was able to close it out."

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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: Steve Johnson of the United States of America celebrates a point against John Isner of the United States of America during day 5
Image: Johnson could be the first native to win in Washington since 2007

Johnson, ranked a career-high 25th, next faces another serve smasher in 37-year-old Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who blasted 26 aces to dispatch US sixth seed Jack Sock 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (8-6).

French second seed Gael Monfils avoided the upset bug by downing US eighth seed Sam Querrey 6-4 3-6 6-1.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: Gael Monfils of France returns a shot to Sam Querrey of the United States of America during day 5 of the Citi Open at Rock Creek
Image: Gael Monfils is the highest-ranked player left in the men's tournament

German Alexander Zverev awaits him in the semi-final after he eliminated French fourth seed Benoit Paire 6-1 6-3.

"I like him. It's going to be a big match," said Monfils, who is 2-0 against Zverev, including a February quarter-final win at Rotterdam.

Zverev, ranked 27th, is the youngest player in the top 30 since Rafael Nadal in 2005 while Monfils is seeking to win his sixth career title. 

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