Spaniard David Ferrer took out American John Isner in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The eight seed was rock solid as usual, making the big-serving American work for every point with his fantastic return of serve and his ability to work his opponent side-to-side. It was a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win for the Spaniard as his victory set up a quarterfinal match with world number two Andy Murray.

Early Break Does In The American

Heading into this match, Isner was without a doubt the best server of the tournament so far, which is no surprise as he stands six feet ten inches tall. The American hit 101 aces and had not faced a break point all tournament long.

That quickly changed in the third game as the American faced two break points. He was unable to save the second one as Ferrer broke Isner for the first time in the tournament, and it already became danger time for the American. Ferrer consolidated at love and earned a chance to go up a double break, but the American held. At 15-40 in the eighth game, the 10 seed had a shot to get the break back. He’d unfortunately could not convert as Ferrer took the opening set 6-4.

Late Breaks Do The American In As Ferrer Earns A Quarterfinal Berth

Both men remained steady on serve throughout the second set as Isner knew he needed to keep in contact with the Spaniard, knowing that if he was broken again, he’d be battling to stay in the set once again. After holding at love for three-all in the second, Ferrer made his move. It was a brilliant display of returning excellence by the Spaniard as Isner was broken at love. The eight seed consolidated for 5-3 and once again captured another set at 6-4.

It was pretty much do or die time for Isner. He need a break of serve at some point or another in the set to swing the momentum his way. With how Ferrer was returning, a tiebreak seemed out of the question for the American to win.

Not one break chance was seen in the first handful of service games for each player. That was until Ferrer earned a look at 15-40 up in the 11th game. Just like every other set, the Spaniard did no wrong, breaking the Isner serve. He closed out the set and the match by taking it 7-5.