John Isner Defeats Alexander Zverev in 3 Sets to Win 2018 Miami Open

John Isner beat Alexander Zverev after three sets, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2018 Miami Open at Crandon Park in Florida on Sunday.

It's 32-year-old Isner's first ATP Masters 1000 title, as Zverev was denied the chance to become the first German to win the tournament.

A nip-and-tuck first set saw Isner take the lead early, despite missing chances to break Zverev's formidable serve, per the tournament's official Twitter account:

It was 4-4 and 5-5 after Zverev continually refused to buckle on serve. A forceful forehand down the line positioned Isner to take a 6-5 lead with yet another opportunity to wreck the Zverev serve and avoid a tiebreak in the first.

Predictably, Zverev held then led 2-1 in the tiebreak. At 3-2, Isner miscued a shot into the net, but it was Zverev who made errors on his backhand to fall behind 4-3.

Points were beginning to go against the serve as Zverev reclaimed the lead at 5-4. There was no mistake with the German's own serve as he boomed his first ace to force set point.

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Another error from Isner gave Zverev the edge after a gruelling 60-minute opener.

Statistics from the ATP official website showed how Isner failed to convert even one of five break points.

By contrast, former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised the way Zverev had dealt with the Isner serve:

Things were just as close in the second, as Isner did a better job of protecting his serve. He twice held to even things at 4-4, before a potentially decisive moment came when his forehand earned him the first break point of the set and a 5-4 lead.

A fantastic exchange of shots saw Isner and Zverev trade spectacular winners in the next game. Yet it was the former who took the point that mattered to force a decider.

ESPN's Brad Gilbert noted Zverev's key mistake and welcomed a third set:

Zverev was back on form as he saved a break point to move 2-1 in front. It was 3-2 after the gifted 20-year-old saved four break points in the next game.

Isner now appeared rattled and was soon down 0-30 on serve but saved the game. Despite looking tired, Isner pushed his way into a 5-4 lead and the chance to serve for the title.

The turnaround prompted some racket rage from Zverev, who smashed his to bits on the court, drawing a chorus of boos from most of the spectators.

Jeers soon turned to cheers when Isner boomed a hat trick of aces to confirm his place as a Masters champion for the first time.

ATP Media Info noted the other piece of history established by Isner's win:

Winning at any age is a fitting reward for Isner's journeyman career, while precocious talent Zverev will have better days and surely add to his two Masters titles in the near future.