John Isner went deep in a fifth set Saturday—well, maybe not that deep—losing 4-6, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 9-7 to Marin Cilic. The only break of serve in the last three sets occured when Isner, after hitting a speedy first serve, couldn't handle Cilic's reply. It was the second match point of the contest; Cilic had earned the first earlier in the game, but put a mid-court backhand into net.
Isner, who served 26 aces to Cilic's 22, had an earlier opportunity of his own. At 2-2 in the fifth, after two Cilic double-faults, Isner got a break point. Had he won it, I don't think he would have lost this match. But the 2010 Aussie semifinalist atoned for his mishaps with a sharp forehand that wiped away the chance.
The match was less about the two men and more about two shots: Isner's cannon serve vs. Cilic's able forehand. By the fifth set—which followed two tiebreak sets—it became apparent that not much separated the two in potency. This would surely be decided by one mistake, one missed shot. That's how Cilic lost the third-set tiebreaker—on a backhand error—and how he ended up winning the match. It should be said that the fourth-set tiebreaker went against that theory; Cilic sent the match the distance on his first of four set points, when Isner double-faulted for a second consecutive time.
Isner would have beaten most players with today's effort. He continues to impress me with his mobility (for his size), stamina and continued improvement. Late in the third set, the giant tracked down a fine drop shot, looking more gazelle than hulk. But Cilic was in early-2010 form; he served with command and hit deep, accurate shots from both wings. His fourth-round opponent will almost certainly be Rafael Nadal, who might not go down even if Cilic plays this well again. But for the Croat, the affirmation that he can return to this level of tennis is already a victory.
—Ed McGrogan