New York (AFP) – John Isner reached the US Open quarter-finals for the first time in seven years on Sunday with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over Canada’s Milos Raonic and hailed the patriotic tournament atmosphere as a “jungle.”
Isner, the 11th seed, is the only American man left in the draw as he attempts to become the first home winner since Andy Roddick in 2003.
The 33-year-old will face either 2009 champion and third seed Juan Martin del Potro or Croatia’s Borna Coric for a place in the semi-finals.
“There were a lots of ups and downs in the match. The atmosphere was like a jungle,” said Isner of the crowd on the new and raucous Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Isner, who will become a father for the first time in two weeks, said he will not fear his next opponent.
He is 4-7 against Del Potro having lost to the Argentine most recently in straight sets in the fourth round at Roland Garros this year.
He is 1-1 against Coric.
“They are both players, I’ve played them a bunch of times. But why not me? Let’s keep going.”
On Sunday, Isner fired 56 winners and 20 aces taking his ace count to a tournament-leading 112.