Tennis: Isner downs Hewitt to win title

NEWPORT: John Isner fired 16 aces in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 victory over Australian Lleyton Hewitt yesterday to win the ATP Hall of Fame Championships title for the second-straight year. "It's huge for me," said the top-seeded American. "It's the first time I've ever defended a title. I'm very happy to come through today against a great opponent. It's a big win for me." Hewitt, who received a wild card into the draw, was playing in his first final since June 2010, when he captured his 28th career title on the grass courts at Halle. Isner's triumph ended Hewitt's unbeaten career run in grass court finals, putting his record at 7-1. Isner claimed his fourth career title and his first of 2012 after runner-up finishes at Indian Wells and Houston.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2012.