Federer downs Isner in Miami for 101st career title


FE Team | Published: April 01, 2019 12:17:54 | Updated: April 02, 2019 12:58:37


Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after defeating John Isner of the United States (not pictured) during the men’s finals at the Miami Open — USA TODAY Sports photo via Reuters

Roger Federer defeated a hobbling John Isner 6-1 6-4 for his 101th career title at the Miami Open on Sunday.

Holder Isner struggled to continue late in the second set, hampered by pain in his left foot.

Federer, who won his fourth Miami title, broke Isner three times in a blazing opening set, according to a Reuters report.

“It was a dream start, relaxing my nerves,” the Swiss, 37, said in a courtside interview.

But the American fought back in the second, levelling the set at 3-3 and 4-4 before the pain made it difficult to continue. Federer took the final two games for the victory.

“What a week it's been for me,” said the fourth seed. “I’m just so happy right now. It’s unbelievable. I played here in 1999 for the first time and here I am in 2019. It means a lot to me.”

Only American Jimmy Connors, with 109, has more career singles titles than Federer.

Isner began to feel pain in the first set.

“I started feeling some pain on the top of my foot, and it didn’t go away. It only kept getting worse,” he said. “I have never had anything like this before, ever.”

However, even before the injury slowed the seventh-seeded American, Federer was the master, tempering Isner’s big serves and winning 32 of 35 points on his own serve

“Roger was too good,” Isner said. “In the first five games, I was fine. Nothing was bothering me. He was all over me.”

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