John Isner aims to become the first ever champion in Winston-Salem when he faces Julien Benneteau in today's final.
Isner grew up in the neighbouring town of Greensboro and he's benefitted all week from the vociferous support of the local fans. They spurred him on to gain just his second career victory over top seed Andy Roddick in yesterday's semis. Isner won 7-6(7), 6-4 and will be strong favourite to take his second title of the summer.
"It’s nice to be through to the final," he said. "I was just looking forward to coming back home because it had been eight months, since Christmas, that I’d been in the state of North Carolina. Physically I felt pretty good coming into this event, even though this is my fourth event in a row. I definitely wanted to do well here, it’s such an important event for me. I want to go up to New York with some momentum and that’s what I have right now."
Benneteau's route to today's showpiece started seven days ago in the first qualifying round and the Frenchman has already won eight matches to reach this stage. Despite already being a little exhausted from his efforts he somehow summoned the energy to save multiple match points and beat Robin Haase 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in a dramatic semi-final which looked for all the world as Haase had it wrapped up.
The Dutchman will barely have been able to believe it after leading 5-2 in the decider and then 6-4 in the third set tiebreak. "At 6-5 down in the third set tie-break, I thought to myself, ‘I cannot lose this point, I have to win this point,’ and thankfully he made a mistake," recalled Benneteau. "After that the momentum changed and he double faulted. It’s a very, very good win; I’m very happy."
It's been a fabulous week for the Frenchman but he has never won an ATP title. Isner in straight sets.
