In a match that lacked drama, John Isner won his third consecutive BB&T Atlanta Open title with an easy 6-3, 6-3 victory over an injured Marcos Baghdatis on Sunday at Atlantic Station.
Isner became the eighth active player to achieve a three-peat on the ATP World Tour. In winning the 10th title of his career, Isner has won 12 consecutive matches in Atlanta.
Isner took control of the match by breaking Baghdatis in the fourth game of the first set. Baghdatis hit a backhand long to fall behind 15-30, and then unsuccessfully tried to chip a backhand that Isner easily put away with an overhead smash. Baghdatis double-faulted to lose the game and fall behind 3-1.
Baghdatis defeated two big servers in Vasek Pospisil and Gilles Muller in his quarterfinal and semifinal matches, but could do nothing early against arguably the most powerful serve in tennis. Behind seven aces, Isner dropped just one point on serve in taking the first set 6-3.
Baghdatis left the court between the first and second set to receive treatment. He shook his right leg many times during the first set. When he returned, Baghdatis had trouble putting weight on his right leg, weakening his forehand.
Isner began to try to hit toward Baghdatis’ right and broke him to take a 3-2 lead in the second set. Baghdatis looped a forehand wide to give Isner the game.
Isner broke him again to take the match.
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