Isner beats Gulbis to make Indian Wells last four

John Isner has beaten Ernests Gulbis 7-6,(4), 7-6(3), to make the last four of Indian Wells. The 6ft 9″ American had to come back from behind in each set to put paid to the ever-improving Gulbis’ attempts to make his first Indian Wells semi-finals. It is not the first time Isner has reached the last four though. He made it there in 2012, beating Djokovic in the process, and making the final.

Isner’s beating of Gulbis to make the last four of Indian Wells was impressive in how his weapons held up in two very tight sets. The Isner service was at its best when he faced a break point-set point at 5-6 in the first set. Then, in the tiebreak, he got a mini-break for 5-3 and then hit two huge serves to take the set.

Isner went down a break in the second set, but his ever improving return game helped him break back when Gulbis served for the set at 5-4. Both men then held serve until another tiebreak. Isner has a reputation as something of a tiebreak king on the tour and once again he proved why. He secured another mini-break, hit his biggest serves, and took the match.

Isner will once more face Djokovic in the semis. And he is just as dangerous now as he was when he knocked the Serbian out back then in a final set breaker. This tournament, Isner has beaten Davydenko, Lu, Verdasco and, most notably, the in-form Ernest Gulbis. Isner, who won Auckland at the start of the season, had to retire from his Australian Open first round match, and did not return until over a month later at Delray Beach. There he reached the semis, losing to eventual champion Cilic. Isner’s Indian Wells run is another sign of his recovery from injury, and of his potential on American hard courts, where he enjoyed success in last season’s US Open series.