Isner edges Harrison in all-American Atlanta final

[July 31, 2017]    (Reuters) - Big-serving second seed John Isner defeated Ryan Harrison 7-6(6) 7-6(7) in an all-American final on Sunday to claim his fourth Atlanta Open title.

 USA’s John Isner reacts during his second round match against Israel’s Dudi Sela REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

For Isner, who saved set point in both sets, the win marks his second consecutive title since suffering a second-round loss at Wimbledon.

The booming serve of Isner, who last week won the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, proved to be the difference as the 32-year-old American won 85 percent of his first-serve points against his fourth-seeded opponent.

By capturing his 12th title, Isner will move up two spots to 18th in the ATP rankings on Monday and surpass Jack Sock as the top-ranked American player.

Isner has now reached the Atlanta final in seven of the tournament's eight years.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ian Ransom)

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