Marcos’ LA Tennis Open campaign has come to an end at the hands of John Isner. The towering American edged Marcos out in the second round 6-3, 7-6(11) on Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles.
One break of serve secured the first set for Isner, a semi-finalist in Indianapolis last week, but the second set was a much tighter affair – with neither player offering up break point chances.
At 10-10 in the tie-break, the 24-year-old Isner sprained his ankle and trailed 10-11 – but rallied back to win the final three points to seal victory after one hour and 49 minutes. Marcos, who knows only too well how freak injuries can disable an opponent – having slipped on the baseline at ‘s-Hertogenbosh and strained the ligaments in his left knee – was quick to check on Isner after his slip on the baseline.
“He hit a serve out wide and then he hit a shot behind me," said Isner. “My left foot went the other way. I thought it was worse than it is. I have tomorrow off and I will see how it feels. He (Marcos) is such a class act and a really good guy. That was cool what he did (to come over the net).
"I stayed calm and didn't panic even though I had two match points on my serve in the tie-break. It was a high quality match I played well,” added the American.
It was a great effort against the big-serving Isner and he next will take his comeback to Vancouver for the Odlum Brown Van Open - an ATP Challenger Tour event next week.
