Novak Djokovic (1) takes on John Isner (22) in the semi-finals of the Miami Open tonight. The Tennis Review previews the action and predicts the winner.
Novak Djokovic faces John Isner for the ninth time today and though the defending champion leads Isner 6-2 in their head to head, the American always gives the Serbian a tough workout.
Isner’s two wins have come on American hard courts- at Indian Wells 2012 and Cincinnati 2013. Djokovic has won three of their meetings in the U.S, including their most recent clash, a tough straight setter, in the Indian Wells last sixteen.
Isner’s big serve troubles the game’s best returner, and his aggressive first strike style, resulting in winners or errors, and few rallies, deprives Djokovic of the rhythm he needs from the baseline.
Worryingly for Djokovic, Isner’s first strike is at a high level right now. He has beaten Dimitrov, Raonic and Nishikori on his way to the final, displaying an improved return and back-court game.
Djokovic, meanwhile, has struggled on his way to the last four. The Serbian dropped a set to Klizan, another set to Dolgopolov and had to come back from an early break in the first set of his quarter-final win over Ferrer.
Isner has the momentum, is in his best form for a long time and is playing better tennis than Djokovic. The night time conditions may favor Djokovic, but Isner can play well on slow surfaces, and this surface is faster than the one they played on at Indian Wells, and benefits from that extra time on the return as well as to get to balls and to set up his forehand.
Momentum, form, the home crowd, a game that is an awkward match up for Djokovic, Isner has it all going for him in this semi-final encounter. If he perform like he did against Nishikori- hitting 33 winners (12 from the forehand) to 16 errors, winning 78% of points behind his first serves and 81% of his second serves- Isner can get a third win over the world No.1 and make his first Miami Open final.
Prediction: Isner to win in three sets.
Commentary by Christian Deverille @thetennisreview
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