Isner wins third-straight Atlanta title

Big-serving American John Isner completed his Atlanta ATP hat-trick on Sunday with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Marcos Baghdatis.

Top-seeded Isner won his third-straight title in the state where he once starred at university, cruising past the fifth-seeded Cypriot whose movement was increasingly limited as the match wore on by what appeared to be hip or leg trouble.

“It’s unfortunate you couldn’t be 100 per cent today,” Isner told Baghdatis at the trophy presentation.

“I didn’t want to win like that. You’re a class act and I enjoyed playing you today.”

Baghdatis, playing in his first final since 2011, surrendered an early break in the opening set and never had a chance of regaining it as Isner lost just one point on his serve in the first frame.

It was more of the same in the second, when Isner broke for a 3-2 lead, and broke again to seal the win when Baghdatis netted a forehand on match point.

The championship showdown lasted just one hour.

“That’s not the way I wanted to finish the tournament but my body couldn’t handle it today,” said Baghdatis, who had spent more than two hours longer on court than Isner in reaching the final.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t compete 100 per cent, but I tried my best, that’s for sure.”

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