Both semifinals of the 2019 Miami Open men's tournament pit youth against experience, and in Friday's matinee, it was the veteran guile of John Isner that prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(4) over up-and-comer Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Isner, the hard-serving, 6-10 American in his 13th year on the ATP Tour who also happens to be the defending champion in Miami, had to use every bit of his vast experience to topple the Canadian, 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime. The youngster, playing in his eighth match in Miami, was quick out of the gates and proved a tall test for his 33-year-old opponent.
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While both sets required tiebreaks, Auger-Aliassime twice built up big leads that should have led to victories for the Montreal native. In the first set, Auger-Aliassime jumped out to a 5-3 advantage before Isner battled back to force the tiebreak and eventually win the set.
A Champion's Response 👏
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) March 29, 2019
🇺🇸 @JohnIsner rallies from 3-5 down to grab the opening set 7-6(3) against Felix Auger-Aliassime. #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/TQnLlSjU9d
It was the same story in the second set, with Auger-Aliassime actually building a 5-2 lead before succumbing to a big comeback from Isner.
Auger-Aliassime could be seen talking to himself as the match slipped away, visibly frustrated that he could not clinch either set despite holding large leads.
In the end, both the statistics and the run of play favoured Isner, who out-aced Auger-Aliassime 21-6 and held a 30-25 edge in receiving points won.
Let’s hear it for @felixtennis 👏
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) March 29, 2019
It’s been a brilliant @MiamiOpen for the 18 year old 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rv04ExtO89
Auger-Aliassime leaves Miami as the youngest semifinalist in tournament history.