MASON, OH - August 5, 2007 - John Isner, a 22-year-old native of North Carolina and a NCAA finalist from the University of Georgia, has been extended a singles main draw wild card for the upcoming Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati.
Isner entered the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington D.C. this week as a wild card and has raced to today’s final match where he’ll play Cincinnati defending champ, Andy Roddick. Isner played five matches to reach today’s final (against Tim Henman, Benjamin Becker, Gael Monfils, Tommy Haas and qualifier Wayne Odesnik), and every match was decided by a tiebreak in the third set.
“It’s so unusual to have a guy who plays four years in college and then comes out and makes such a quick impact in the pros. His efforts this week, with the quality wins and all the third-set tiebreaks, have certainly earned him a spot in his first ATP Masters event,” said tournament director Bruce Flory. “We’re really looking forward to having him play here.”
The 6-foot, nine-inch Isner entered the Washington DC tournament ranked No. 416, but will break into the top 200 in the Monday, August 6, ATP Rankings regardless of whether he wins or loses today against Roddick.
Tim Henman of Great Britain (a 2000 W&SFG Masters finalist) and Americans Sam Querrey and Robby Ginepri (a 2005 W&SFG Masters semifinalist) have been granted the other tournament wild cards.
The $2.45 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, August 11-19, is one of only nine ATP Masters Series events in the world. The ATP Masters events and the four Grand Slams form the 13 “major” events in men’s tennis.
Cincinnati’s tennis tournament tradition started in 1899, making it the oldest tournament in the nation still played in its original city.
For tickets or information call 513-651-0303, or visit the tournament website at www.cincytennis.com. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster at 513-562-4949 or www.ticketmaster.com
