By Joe McDonald | Sunday, September 2, 2018

NEW YORK—There's no place like home, but John Isner is delighted with new digs.

Isner always let it be known he loved the old Louis Armstrong Stadium and he went on record saying it was his favorite place to play.

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Today, he had the chance to play at the new edifice bearing the same name.

Thoughts John?

“Oh, man, that was incredible,” Isner said. “Unbelievable court. I'd like to play there again in a few days. I don't know if that's possible. That was fun. I played three matches on Grandstand, which is an incredible court. I don't think it compares to that one. That new Armstrong court is very special. I'm glad I got to play out there today.”

The top-ranked American gave the home crowd a pre-Labor Day party, outlasting Milos Raonic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, to advance to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. 



It is Isner's second straight Grand Slam quarterfinal following his 26-24 in the fifth-set loss to Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon semifinals. Anderson, the 2017 US Open finalist, was bounced by Dominic Thiem today, while Isner extended his dominance over Raonic.  

It was Isner's fifth win in six meetings with the explosive Canadian, denying Raonic's bid to become the 12th active man to reach the quarterfinals at all four Slams.

The former Wimbledon finalist said handling Isner's hellacious kick serve has been a high hurdle to clear.

"I've definitely struggled with him specifically," said Raonic who took treatment for a right hip issue in the fifth set. "There's other guys that are big servers that I've played better against.

"For me, I think the biggest thing is there's not guys that make me hit returns above my shoulders. That's sort of the hardest part for me. Today I was much more successful going further back, buying my time. I wasn't sharp enough when I needed to be."

Miami Open champion Isner rode the adrenaline and Armstrong faithful into the quarterfinals where he could face 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro next.

“Today was different,” Isner said. “Felt a lot of support. It helps so much. Adrenaline plays a huge part in tennis, especially at a tournament like this for an American like myself. My relationship has always been amazing with this tournament. The fans are incredible. I'd love to have them on my side in the next one.”

This is a different Isner this year.

We have seen him flame out in the past and play down to the competition. He’s different now, even at the advanced age of 33.

Something seemed to click and now, Isner is the great hope of American men's tennis and the only American man still standing.

“I think this year, since Miami of course, I really turned a corner there,” he said. “There are some matches I've played where I only just rely on my serve. But I think more times than not this year I've shown some other ability. That comes from just being relaxed on the court. It's not a product of more reps and more practice. The mental part of the game, being able to free up on the tennis court is much easier said than done. I've been able to, for the most part this year, do a pretty good job of that.”

He seems wiser, knowing what he can and can’t do. Isner always had the big serve, but now is more of a complete player.

It showed at Wimbledon and it’s showing here.

And Isner is winning the matches, he usually loses. In the past, some of these five setters would go to the opposition. This week, Isner has won two five-setters raising his 2018 record in five-setters to 3-1.

Part of his maturation is coaching and part of it may be marriage and being on the precipice of fatherhood. He seems to be very pleased with his team these days.

“I haven't really worked with, like, a mental coach or anything,” Isner said. “The coaches that I have have done an incredible job with me, obviously the stuff we work on on the court. Even more importantly than that, the stuff we talk about off the court, getting myself in the right mindset.

“Justin (Gimelstob) has been a huge help to me. But the man that doesn't get much publicity is David Macpherson. He's the most underrated guy in tennis, in my opinion. Incredible coach. Glad to have him on my side.”

And now he’s two wins away from his first US Open final and his first quarterfinal since 2011.

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A winner so far, Isner knows he may well have an uphill battle ahead playing del Potro, if the Argentine defeats Borna Coric.

One is a former champion and the other, he hasn’t really played.

“It will be a very tough ask for me, but one I'll be looking forward to,” Isner said.

Even if it’s on Arthur Ashe Stadium and not the new Armstrong Stadium.