Isner frustrated by Wimbledon flop
Date published :
25 Jun 2012 - 20:49:36
US number one John Isner admits he is becoming increasingly frustrated by his recent slump after an "ugly" defeat against Colombia's Alejandro Falla in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday.
Big-serving Isner was expected to mount a strong run on the fast grass courts of the All England Club, but instead he blew a two sets to one lead as Falla, ranked 73rd in the world, clinched a shock 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5 victory.
The 27-year-old also crashed out of the recent French Open in disappointing fashion after losing to France's Paul-Henri Mathieu in the second round.
But being beaten by Falla, despite serving 31 aces, was especially dispiriting for the world number 10, who is determined to be known for more than just his victory over Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon in 2010.
"I'm just not performing. It's just ugly right now," Isner said. "I've taken some steps back of late. It's disappointing.
"I'm just very frustrated right now and just wish I could play a little better at the important times of a match.
"I felt like I should have won it in the fourth set and that hurt me quite a lot.
"After being so close to winning in four, I just mentally got even more clouded and more frustrated out there.
"I just can't seem to figure things out. I'm my own worst enemy out there. It's all mental for me, and it's pretty poor on my part."
Isner has enjoyed an impressive rise up the world rankings since that incredible 11-hour epic against Mahut, but he has no answers for his current slump, which also includes early exits from the Masters events in Madrid and Rome.
"During the course of a season, there's always highs and lows, and this is quite a bit of a low for me right now," he said.
"I'm not letting things flow. I'm just trying to force things and it's just not going my way and then I'm getting frustrated.
"It's something I need to fix, but I haven't been too solid as of late."
There was more bad news for American tennis as former world number four James Blake's slide into obscurity continued with a 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-0, 6-4 defeat against Germany's Benjamin Becker.
Blake, now ranked 91st, was joined at the Wimbledon exit door by compatriot Donald Young, who was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 by Russian 26th seed Mikhail Youzhny.
Americans will be hoping for better results on Tuesday from 10th seed Mardy Fish, who plays Spain's Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, and three-time finalist Andy Roddick, who faces British wild card Jamie Baker.
