Matt and Drew Pick Their Five Favorite Moments of the Trip

Our week at the Western and Southern Open has come to a close, but the memories remain. With that in mind, a quick rundown from the two "Outer Courts" bloggers on their favorite memories of the second (of hopefully many) tennis tournament coverages:

DREW's TAKE:

1.) XXXI

Nothing will ever top being on the court as the confetti fell following Kentucky's national championship, but sitting courtside for Federer and Nadal's 31st meeting is making a strong case for No. 2 on my list.

Sitting 30 feet from two of the greatest to ever do it in one of their final head-to-head matches was an experience I never, ever, ever, ever thought I'd be fortunate enough a part of. It helped Federer looked like the Federer of old, or close to it, after a disappointing summer, too.

It was an incredible match, to say the least, and I have an Instragram feed full of photos to remind me of it.

2.) The elevator.

Only Willy Wonka's flying elevator possesses the magic we found in the Lindner Family Tennis Center's elevator. As I mentioned multiple times on the blog throughout the week, there was something going on with our interactions in the capsule of destiny.

It all began when Sloane Stephens and I shared a lift prior to her match with Maria Sharapova. I guaranteed, twice, that she would get the upset that night, and she did. But it didn't stop there.

The next two players we rode with -- the only other two players we rode with -- were John Isner and Rafael Nadal. Coincidence they met in the finals? No way. It's the elevator, the magical elevator.

3.) Ian Eagle is the man.

I met Ian Eagle during the 2012 NCAA tournament in Atlanta and he couldn't have been nicer, or funnier. The guy could do standup comedy if his thousands of other jobs ever fall through. He has that quick wit, too. You can't teach that. But back to the point...

When Tennis Channel's production team called to tell us we would be shooting a television segment with Ian as our moderator, we knew it'd be a lot of fun. And it was.

With Ian as our Barbara Walters Mike Wallace, the "Hillbillies of Kentucky" put together what I believe was a good bit, aside from the shot of Matt's feet. It was a lot of fun cutting up with Ian and the crew about our time on the tennis beat -- most of the banter didn't even air -- and I can't wait to share the stage with Ian when we accept the Emmy for Best Two-Minute Television Segment About Two Guys From Kentucky Covering Tennis.

(That first paragraph was compensation for the Tennis Channel pin he gave me.)

4.) John Isner is my new favorite tennis player.

Being an American, I have always been a fan of John Isner, but it wasn't until this week that he became my favorite. Like most fans of the sport, I have always latched on to one of the top players when following the tour, but now I can say John Isner is my guy. If I were ten years younger, I'd consider hanging an Isner poster in my room -- that'd just be weird now, though.

The reasoning behind my newfound fandom comes from a variety of factors. For starters, he's a fellow Southeastern Conference alum. That means he knows how to enjoy a good football tailgate and we probably share an affinity for sorority girls in sundresses. He also carries the tennis torch for the United States, being the top ranked American on tour and the only player who can potentially win big matches, as we saw this week. Which brings me to my next point:

Isner had a hell of a week. The 28-year-old knocked off four top 11 players on the tour to reach the finals, where Rafael Nadal needed two tiebreakers to win. It was only his second career ATP Masters 1000 title match, the second being Indian Wells in 2012.

So, from now on, when people ask me about my favorite tennis player, I won't hesitate to tell them it is John Isner. And Ivo Karlovic, of course. Maybe it's a height thing, too.

5.) SnapChatting with Rafael Nadal.

Looking back, I probably could've handled our interaction with Rafael Nadal a little better than I did. But now I have a better story to tell.

For reasons I can't explain, I asked Nadal if he would lean in for a "selfie" picture with me to SnapChat (Google it) my friends. Not a regular picture. Not an autograph. I asked for a picture that disappears after 10 seconds. It wasn't one of my finer moments, but again, it's a better story to tell. And my friends enjoyed it, which is all that really matters.

MATT's TAKE:

1. Federer-Nadal

I have already waxed poetic about this match once on the site (scroll down) so I won't do it again. But suffice to say, sitting courtside to watch two of the greatest players ever play a high level of tennis was pretty amazing. It was likely the best level of tennis we have seen from Federer in over a year and was proof once again that Nadal right now is ruling the roost of the tennis landscape. Combine the actual on-court play with the atmosphere created by their presence and it goes down as one of my top sports moments of all time. I have always truly admired both players (although with that admiration comes a tremendous amount of jealousy as well...I wish I could just once wear an outfit as well as Federer or get shrieks of approval when I remove my shirt like Nadal) both on and off the court and it makes appreciating their on-court success that much better. But to do it while sitting close enough to feel the pace of their amazing ground game was one for the books.

2. Grigor Dimitrov's Magic

I think one of the biggest problems that tennis has right now is its inability to capture the average sports' fans attention with storylines that will move them. For a long time as an outsider, I assumed that was because tennis players were simply drones with no personalities that were as interesting to cover as most mid-level accountants. But having now been embedded with the tour for two major tournaments, I can see that is simply not the case. A person like Grigor Dimitrov should be known by the public as large. Here is a random Bulgarian player, 22 years old and non-descript in most every way. Yet somehow he has caused a major league cat fight between two of the best women's players in the modern era, all based on his love, affection and supposed "black heart." Why don't we know more about him? If Kris Humphries, who seems to be as terrible off the court as he is on, can have a reality show, how had I never heard of Grigor and his amorous ways?  These are the types of stories "The Outer Courts" will unveil in the years to come.

3. My Toenail in HD

Look, I am not a proud man. I don't mind to look silly or play along with just about anything for a laugh. But I never thought that my time here at the Two Directions Open would end with my toenail being shown on national television in HD. I grant to everyone that my feet are not the best part of my physical appearance, but now that virtually everyone I know has made a joke about the ragged toenail that adorns my right big toe, changes have to be made. We thank Tennis Channel for many things and I loved getting to do the segment on the air as part of Wednesday's Pregame Show. But for the future I now know that all parts of my body, even those normally not on camera, are fair game when on Tennis Channel. Justin Gimelstob better hope he doesn't have any back hair come the next major event.

4. Fun With Puns

Let's be honest...sometimes a tennis tournament can get a little slow in the middle of a long day. While this tournament produced some high quality matches (Federer-Nadal, Isner-Nadal, Serena-Azarenka, Isner-Del Potro), it also produced some stinkers. It was during one of those stinkers on Thursday that Drew and I (along with "The Outer Courts" Live Blog viewers) attempted to come up with tennis puns and pickup lines. The results were glorious and made me laugh as hard as I have in quite some time. I have an affinity for bad jokes (as readers of this blog can certainly see), but if these puns don't at least make you smile, then I don't know what to tell you:

"Li Na on Me...When You're Not Strong"
"Hey Raonic, its ok things happen..we play, You win, Milos."
"Isner anyone here who can give me a ride back to my hotel?"
"That Gimelstob is Justincredible."
"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to Djokovic?"
"I have to pull over and stop for some Gasquet?"

5. My Rivalry with Jack Sock Continues

I don't like Jack Sock.  I know that people think thats controversial as we all want there to be good young American tennis players. But I dont like the cut of his jib and I am sure he probably feels the same about me. Yes you may say, he doesn't know who I am. But my guess is that by the way he looks at me and the way he screams at matches at which I am in attendance, he senses the animosity. When I found out that he might be dating Sloane Stephens this weekend (the official adopted little sister of "The Outer Courts"), my skepticism only grew further. At Indian Wells and Cincinnati, Sock and I have had our moments of tension, even if he is not aware they occurred. But third time is a charm Sock...either I need to see better on-court behavior from you or you and your funny name and me and my farmer's tan are headed for impasse at some point. Make me like you...Agassi did it...so did Federer...so did Nadal, all after initial skepticism. You can too...I know it.

Thanks again to everyone for reading. We hope to see you again very soon at another tennis event around the way.

Isner and Nadal, our two elevator friends, to meet in the finals

It's John Isner versus Rafael Nadal, the United States versus Spain, in the finals of the 2013 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati Mason, Ohio. Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych in the second semifinal on Saturday to set the matchup. 

The showdown is the Spanish-American war all over again, only this time it will go down in the friendly confines of the Lindner Family Tennis Center and control of Cuba isn't on the line, to my knowledge. It would be a really weird scenario if that were the case.

Nadal is undefeated against Isner in their three previous meetings, although it has been over two years since they last competed and a lot has changed since that opening round match in Roland Garros. For instance, John Isner now wears Lacoste instead of Nike; Nadal has battled knee injuries; and McDonald's offers an egg white substitute on all of its breakfast items. I encourage you to give it a try.

The Spaniard is the favorite entering the match and he's riding a 14-match win streak on hard courts, but don't think for one second that Isner is intimidated by his opponent. Isner has already defeated four top 11 players this week, including top seed Novak Djokovic, to get to the finals. Nadal is just another guy with a racket and a headband in his way.

Nadal and Isner will play in the first match of the day before the women compete for the WTA trophy in the tournament's grand finale. That matchup will be determined tonight with Serena Williams and Na Li, and Jelena Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka competing for spots.

It all ends tomorrow, friends.

The Magic of Federer-Nadal

In eight years of covering sports, I have been to a lot of great events. I walked 18 with Phil Mickelson in the Ryder Cup, sat court side as Lebron went after his first NBA title (in Cleveland) and stood on the court as my team won its eighth national championship. And as amazing as those events were, sitting 10 feet from the net watching the 31st edition of Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal may equalize them.  I am not the type that likes melodramatic, overly poetic attempts to explain the beauty of sport with majestic language that seems to leap off the page (maybe I don't like it in part, because I am not talented enough to do it). But sometimes we have to call a spade a spade and occasionally sports gives you moments that (to quote a guy I knew once in Middlesboro, Kentucky), "are just damn better" than others. No it wasn't a Grand Slam, and yes it was held on an otherwise routine Quarterfinal Friday in Cincinnati, Ohio. But for two hours, there was something special in the air in the otherwise routine Stadium Court here at the Two Directions Open. Two of the best to ever play the game hit new heights (at least for this season) in their game and turned back the clock to produce one of the best non-Grand Slam matches of the year. Andy Roddick tweeted that it was "another level" of tennis and if you watched it, you would most certainly agree. Nadal won in three sets, but the result was almost inconsequential. What mattered is the match happened and the excitement that only these two together can bring to tennis, was repeated once again.

When we started "The Outer Courts" at Indian Wells, I had one goal...see Federer and Nadal play one last time in person. For a lot of tennis media, that statement would lead to a collective groan and set of rolled eyes, because for them these two legends playing is old hat. Plus here is a secret about tennis media...they don't particularly love, or even watch, tennis as a spectator. Because their lives are built around the day to day minutia of the tour, big picture moments (especially those they have seen before) are a collective bore. But if you are an outsider, a tennis fan or simply one who loves great sports moments, the scene last night was why you appreciate the sport and it is why I got into doing this blog in the first place.

Because of the uniqueness of the event, Drew and I decided early on that we couldn't watch the proceedings in the press box. While the room is nice enough, the smell of stale pretzels, half-empty Diet Coke cans and collective desperation was not the surrounding we wanted for an event to be remembered. As any aspiring blogger would understandably want to do, we wanted to not only get the best view possible, but also bend a few rules in the process. So we made the executive decision (without telling our good Tennis Channel bosses) to sneak where we were not supposed to be and view Federer-Nadal from the best possible seats in the house. For those of you not familiar, there is one bench on court level where photographers are perched, able to sit and take pictures mere feet from the action, without any obstruction to the play. Because of the incredible access, it is for photographers only, and the poster next to the entry way says in big letters "ONLY THOSE WITH A 'M7" PASS MAY ENTER."  Looking at our passes. Drew and I realized that while we were blessed with the "M" credential (for media), we didn't have the "7" (we can't figure out what the 7 is for, but I will guess getting to sit about 7 feet from the action). For many, this lack of accreditation would mean the end of the battle to sit courtside. But not for us. You see, I learned two lessons long ago in life. (1) Pursue whatever you want to happen through all means available...the worst you can be told is "no" and (2) It is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. If you find an opening, take it and if you are questioned later, play dumb. It nearly always works. Thus Drew and I, complete with no photo equipment more powerful than our iPhone followed a burly men with jeans clinging on to his waist for dear life, looked down as security glared at us and took our seat courtside for the big moment.

Our view for the matchup

What we were treated to next was an example of why I still believe that a great tennis match is at the very top of the most impressive sporting events in the world. What has always made Federer-Nadal great is the contrast in styles. The grace and elegance of Roger Federer's beautiful game versus the sheer brute strength and force of Rafael Nadal's pummeling of the tennis ball. Federer at his best seems like he is floating on air during play, producing tennis as art with each stroke a detail of exquisite importance to perfect. While in contrast Nadal seems to be in a perpetual, gruesome heavyweight boxing match with the ball, going for a fight-ending knockout with each bicep-flexing forehand. While I had always admired their games from afar on HD television, when viewed in close proximity, their characteristics become even more distinct. Watching Federer from ten feet away is like viewing a painting...his swings are perfect (even when the ball is mishit), his hair never moves an inch and his appearance is immaculate. During changeovers, he simply sits upright in his chair, looking totally at peace and with not a care in the world. In fact, Federer strikes me less as a tennis player than as a model who while posing in a tennis apparel advertisement never actually plays the sport, choosing instead to simply look the part to perfection. Contrast that with Nadal, who from 10 feet looks like as if he just wrestled an ox to the ground, drenched in sweat, clothes sticking to him (no person has ever pulled their underwear out of their crack more during a sporting event in world history), his wild facial expressions suggesting a feeling of constant pain and torture. Nadal doesn't ever look to be at peace during a match, even taking breaks during the match to take his shirt off (to screams of approval from the ladies in the crowd), fix his hair, alter his headband, change his shoes, always in perpetual motion. The contrast is striking and part of what makes their play together great.

As far as actual play, the first two sets of the match saw Federer at the top of his game, before slipping a bit (and giving away the match) early in the third. Nadal was rusty in set one (he later admitted he was surprised at Federer's good pace), before finding his stride in the final two. In the end, Nadal got the winning result he sought, bringing his overall record over Federer to a somewhat surprising 21-10. However ultimately when I look back at Friday night, my guess is that I will have little memory of the result. Nadal winning a tournament in August, even a Masters 1000 Event will be remembered by almost no one (outside of perhaps the one woman who sat two rows behind me who I overheard saying she has a Nadal pillowcase) when his great career comes to an end, and Federer's final legacy will not be tarnished by a three set loss that still amounts to one of his best performances of the year. Instead, what I will remember is how I felt while the match was taking place. It sounds melodramatic and to be fair it probably is. But there was something special about being so close as these two greats put everything into a battle they both wanted to win. An event is great when you can't find the words to describe it and the most articulate form I could produce occurred when I looked at Drew on the way out and said, "damn that was cool."

Federer and Nadal have played more important matches in their lives and the tension, while admittedly high for an August Friday before the US Open, is certainly nothing like it would be at a place like Wimbledon or Roland Garros. But I haven't been to those places. What I have seen however is the magic of Federer-Nadal in the most random of all locales, Mason, Ohio, a place best known for Pete Rose, chili and roller coasters. In this least romantic place possible, I felt that distinct tinge of awe you get when you realize you are seeing greatness in person. For the reporter who follows tennis around the world, Friday night may have been no more than a good match at the end of a long week. But for me, it was a special two hours that immediately leaps into my top 5 sports moments of all time. The semifinals and finals are still to come, but for me the Tournament ended the moment Federer declined to challenge Nadal's final shot (it was out) and a great memory was cemented into place.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Isner stared match point in the eyes and lived to tell about it

Score one more for the good guys. John Isner is moving on to the 2013 Western & Southern Open's final match.

The American defeated Juan Martin Del Potro 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 on Center Court this afternoon in the semifinals. The win is redemption for Isner after losing to Del Potro in the Citi Open finals in Washington D.C. earlier this month. Yesterday he told reporters he felt "fresher" this time around, and it showed.

Isner did get a little help from the Argentinian halfway through the match, though. Up 40-30 and serving for the match, Del Potro double faulted and opened the door for Isner to break back, which he did. The momentum swung, Isner flexed toward the crowd, and never looked back. 

Tomorrow he'll face the Nadal-Berdych winner in an opportunity to win his first ATP Masters 1000 singles title, something no current American has on their resume. He's also the first current American to reach a Masters final since he did it back in 2012 at Indian Wells.

The 22-year-old will again rely on his fellow Americans in the crowd to will him to victory against tomorrow's opponent, as he has throughout the entire tournament. I think they're up for it, too.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Andy Murray almost won a set and other happenings from Friday

The Outer Courts' personal kitchen for the week.

While The Outer Courts was caught up live blogging America vs. Serbia at Center Court, there were several other quarterfinal matches going on across the complex, apparently. Below you'll find a brief recap of the action we missed while enjoying our free pretzels and Diet Coke in the media center.

Berdych handles Murray, 6-3, 6-4.

Not long after world No. 1 Novak Djokovic fell victim to a John Isner upset, the ATP's second-ranked player was dismissed from the tournament as well. Andy Murray is now free to pack up his bags and leave the 'Nati to do as he pleases until the U.S Open. Take with you all the spaghetti infused chili your little heart desires, but you gotta go. Your time here is over, lad. Don't touch the roller coasters.

Berdych was awarded the grand prize of having to face the Nadal/Federer winner in the semis.

Serena Williams won, almost broke a sweat in the process.

Venus' kid sister needed only an hour to send Simona Halep home from the W&S Open. Serena won 6-0, 6-4 on Center Court before I even realized it was going on.

No, really, I walked back upstairs from Isner's press conference and it was over. Crowd dispersed.

Dmitry Tursunov lost but is excited about his Five Guys.
He Instragrammed this photo of a massive burger with the caption, "Whole Foods can only take you to quarter-finals, Five Guys Burgers can take you heaven. Twice! Now the chia and hemp seeds are under bacon attack #foorgasm #foodcoma"

I'll stick to my Hot Head Burritos.

Federer and Nadal XXXI in one hour...

Novak Djokovic: What He Said...and What He Meant

Life is pretty good for Novak Djokovic. While his quest to sweep all the Masters tournaments and have a season for the ages ended today with his loss to John Isner, he can still look back and realize he has had quite an amazing run in 2013. But in the immediate aftermath of a tough loss, especially to a player whose game Novak has outclassed in all areas but one, such perspective can be difficult. After the match was over, Djokovic exited the court in warp speed, setting a historic record for "Human being trying to get away from all other life beings the quickest." However with tennis stardom comes obligations, and that includes the perfunctory press conference that occurs when the #1 player in the world loses in the Quarterfinals. Thus Novak had to suffer fools and talk to the media, even though he clearly wasn't interested and would much rather have been anywhere else in the world. He sat down and gave the answers that were required, but it was quite obvious that he was only saying what was necessary and not what he truly believed. While Djokovic is usually one of the most open, honest players on tour, after one loses, the same happy personality usually goes into hiding, replaced by "player speak" that is devoid of any meaning. Thus I decided it was important to not only impart to you, "The Outer Courts" readers, what Djokovic said to the media, but also what I think he actually was thinking in head. Using my telepathic Novak-reading skills, here is a Djokovic "given statement to actual meaning" translation, so you can better understand what was really going through the mind of the world's top player after a disappointing upset:

QUESTION: Novak, obviously a tough match. You had a lot of chances on your serve that you kept fending off all until the last game. Did you notice something different than before? It seemed like he was getting more chances than usual.

ANSWER:  No, I just played a very bad match overall. Terrible match. From beginning to end, except the start of the second set, I was just a different player totally. Today I wasn't able to capitalize on my opportunities and serves. You know, in some important moments some double faults, and that's the way it is.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING:  You stupid idiot. Of course it was a tough match....do you think I need you to tell me that? When was the last time you ever did anything that didn't involve trying to scheme the most free food out of the press room and rush the last few words of your article so you could catch the next flight home? What would you know about my serve? Yeah, it wasn't the best but getting analysis on it from you is like Pavarotti getting questioned about the pitch of his voice by the kids in "One Direction." Just stay over there and get the heck away from me before I smack you in the face. I sucked today and that is the way it is.

QUESTION: Was it a mental issue today, Novak, or physical?

Answer: I don't know. All together.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: Are you really asking me if it was a mental issue? Yeah, I mentally came in here hoping to lose...that was my goal. How do you people get paid for this?

QUESTION: Novak, just talk about Isner's serve today and how much trouble it gave you.

Answer: It's tremendous. These conditions here, very fast, and it's very difficult to return. I mean, you can see he didn't give me much second serves in the third set. I don't know what his percentage of the first serves in the third set, but it was extremely high. So he deserved to win.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: The dude is like 6'10". Do you seem him out there? He should be playing against Lebron and Durant, not me. What do you expect me to do when a freaking California Redwood hits the ball 140 miles per hour? So yes, I will "talk about" (by the way, can't you press people ask questions that don't start with 'talk about'? 'Talk about' is not a question it is a statement) his serve. It is dominant and he shouldn't be allowed to be that tall and still play.

QUESTION: Novak, after he beat you at Indian Wells last year he got into the top 10 for the first time, and I think a lot of Americans hoped he would stay there and be a regular top 10 guy. Do you think that still should be something that he's capable of with the kind of tennis he's shown you?

Answer: Well, he was there, so that means he's capable. But one tournament, two tournaments doesn't change anything. He has to be consistent and be successful in order to stay there.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: No, he doesn't deserve to be in the top ten! He is just a top 100 player who is best with the blessed serve in the game because he was born the tennis Manute Bol. Look he won and I am trying to be nice, but he will only be a top 10 player if his return game gets to above a Challenger level. I am trying to be nice so let's just leave at that, ok?

QUESTION: Novak, will this loss affect your preparations for the US Open at all?

Answer: No. I'm going to prepare as best as I can. Of course now I'm disappointed because I really wanted to win. But it's sport; I'll move on.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: Yes, I am just going to pack it in and quit the sport. OH NO! I LOST TO JOHN ISNER...WHAT SHALL I DO?  Why even go to the US Open?  Maybe I should just go back home, grab a guitar and play emo music to ease my pain, because clearly my tennis career is over.

QUESTION: Were you focusing on getting to win all the Masters at all here? Does it make it more disappointing than a normal Masters loss?

Answer: Yeah, it is. It's disappointing that I played this way. For me, it's very disappointing.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: Nope, doesn't bother me at all that I had a chance to become the first person to win every Masters' event and I blew it losing to Mark Eaton. So for me, this is just a jolly good day. I am amazed this group didn't become brain surgeons.

QUESTION: What's next for your schedule after Cincinnati? How many days off and then...

Answer: I'll see. I just came off the court. I really don't know.

ACTUAL NOVAK MEANING: I just got off the court you dolt. I don't have my day planner right in front of me. And why do you need to know anyway? Are we supposed to go shopping at Home Depot this weekend? Who are you my wife? I will do what I want and chances are high I will not inform you. I cannot wait to get away from you people.

And there you have it. As you can see, what Djokovic said was probably slightly different than what he truly meant, but that's the joy of a tennis press conference. The same bored press corps asks the same tired questions and then writes the same "plug in quote" stories, while the players count the seconds until they can leave. That is why there might be a need for a new kind of blog on the tennis scene...just saying.

Isner wins, God bless America, Isner wins

Novak Djokovic woke up Friday morning, three wins away from becoming the first men's singles player to complete the Career Golden Masters by winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. When he goes to bed Friday night, visions of John Isner dialing up those monstrous first serves will dance in his head.

The 28-year-old American upset top-seeded Djokovic in the W&S quarterfinals today, his second career win over the Serb. Isner called it one of his greatest memories as a tennis player. 

"It was a fantastic win for me," he said after the match.

For Djokovic, the post-match feelings were quite different, as one would imagine. This is a tournament he wanted to win badly, knowing it is the one title he lacks from completing the Career Golden Masters. It was evident in the press conference that Djokovic was extremely upset with himself for letting this one slip away.

"I just played a very bad match overall," he said. "Terrible match. From beginning to end, except the start of the second set, I was just a different player totally." 

Djokovic, a runner-up here a year ago, doesn't believe the loss will affect his preparation for the Open. The disappointment in Cincinnati will eventually wear off and he'll move on. "It's just a sport," he reminded reporters.

Isner, on the other hand, is all smiles and will find himself back in the top 20 where Americans were absent this week for the first time in the history of the rankings. He'll go head-to-head in the W&S semifinals with Juan Martin Del Potro, a familiar opponent with a similar playing style he saw earlier this month. Del Potro defeated him 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the finals of the Citi Open in Washington D.C. on August 3. Isner said he feels a little fresher this time around -- he was coming off back-to-back events heading into D.C. -- and he's looking to ride the momentum from Friday's win.

Not to be ignored from the match, the crowd at Center Court was electric in favor of the American. Playing in the States has been good to Isner all year and that couldn't have been any more apparent than it was against Djokovic. He said his record in the U.S. compared to outside the country is "shockingly different."

So, please, stand beside him and guide him again tomorrow, Cincinnati.

God bless America. And God bless John Isner.

Isner vs. Djokovic LIVE BLOG