U.S. Open Tennis 2011: John Isner Out, Not Ready for Andy Murray and the Big 4

Andy Murray survived a bit of a scare against American John Isner in the U.S. Open Quarterfinals, eventually winning 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2).

Murray played a heady game as usual, but had to adjust his strategy against the big American. Murray's attempts at lobbing the ball over the 6'9" American proved mostly futile after the first set.

Isner was steady behind his big serve in the first and second sets, being broken only once in each. However, that was enough for Murray as Isner was unable to break back. 
 
In the third set, Isner broke Murray's serve for the first time in Murray's first service game. Murray showed signs of frustration throughout the set as both players were dealing with a day of bad calls from the chair. The American kept his cool and stayed on his serve, winning the set 6-3.
  
In the fourth set, Isner was unable to capitalize on two break points at 4-4. This proved to be the momentum shift that would decide the match. Isner and Murray held serve the rest of the way to force a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Murray's experience in Grand Slam matches seemed to be the difference. Isner's net game—which had been surprisingly good until that point—did not hold up well against the world-class passing game of Murray when it counted. Murray won the tiebreak in easy fashion, and went on to win the match.

John Isner continues to be a dangerous player for the world's top four, though he has yet to break through in a major. In the meantime, he has gained a bit of confidence and given Murray, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic fair warning that he is on his way up.