By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 1, 2021
John Isner topped Brandon Nakashima to clear his sixth Atlanta and 16th ATP title.
Photo Source: Getty
Make it a six-pack for Georgia juggernaut John Isner. On Sunday the 36-year-old American claimed his sixth Atlanta title by defeating 19-year-old Brandon Nakashima, 7-6(8), 7-5.
Isner, who improves to 36-5 lifetime at the Truist Atlanta Open, becomes the fourth active player to have claimed six or more titles at a single event, joining Roger Federer (7), Rafael Nadal (4) and Novak Djokovic (4) in a select group.
“It will give me a lot of confidence for sure, the last two weeks if you count singles and doubles I’ve played 12 matches in about ten or eleven days,” he said. “I’ve played a lot which is exactly what I need, so hopefully I can take this and go forward and build some momentum for the tournaments ahead.”
Isner served 21 aces and saved the three points he faced against Nakashima to avenge a straight-sets loss at the hands of the American.
He's the oldest American champion on tour since the legendary Jimmy Connors won his last title at Tel Aviv in 1989.
The loss was tough for Nakashima, but the progress is clear. By reaching this week's final former junior World No.3 became the youngest American player to reach back-to-back finals on tour since Andy Roddick in 2001. Prior to playing Los Cabos last week, Nakashima was ranked 135—he is projected to rise to 89 in Monday’s ATP rankings.
“To do that at this level is a remarkable achievement at any age, but to do that at 19 years is old is outstanding,” Isner said of Nakashima’s accomplishment. “You have a fantastic future ahead of you, I’ve seen what you do and how you prepare and how you work the last two weeks, you do all the right things. Keep it up, your time is coming, you have so many great years ahead of you.”
Isner rises from 35 to 30 as a result of his triumph in Atlanta. He will take the next week off before heading to Canada for the Rogers Cup.