ID :
156491
Sun, 01/09/2011 - 18:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/156491
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Hopman Cup winner eyes Murray re-match
Hopman Cup winner John Isner is desperate to exact revenge on world No.4 Andy Murray
at this month's Australian Open, believing he has developed a game plan to beat the
hard-hitting Scot.
Murray crushed world No.19 Isner 6-4 6-2 at the Hopman Cup on Friday but the 206cm
American had the last laugh, teaming with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to beat Belgium in
Saturday's final.
Isner also lost to Murray at last year's Australian Open, but the 25-year-old is
hoping for a re-match at Melbourne Park.
"I would love to get another crack at him because I feel I know the game plan
against him a little bit better," Isner said.
"What he did to me last year in Australia - you know it was really hot.
"He got me running, he just took my legs out of me.
"You have to attack the first ball. You have to crush returns. You have to get out
on the offensive.
"If I miss, so be it.
"Missing a forehand and losing a point is a lot better than losing a 15-ball rally
when he's running me side to side.
"He always has a good game plan no matter who he's playing. He does try to suck you
in and lure you into his game."
But it's not only Murray who Isner wants to dethrone, with Rafael Nadal, Roger
Federer and Novak Djokovic also in his sights.
"I think beating one of those four top players would be a signature win for sure,"
Isner said.
"I've played them all and never beat them.
"I think eventually this year I'll get a look at all those guys and just see how I
can do.
"My career I feel is heading in the right direction.
"Each year I continue to get better. I started the year at this tournament last year
at 30-something (in the rankings).
"Now I'm (ranked) 19. If I continue that I'll be even higher than 19 this time next
year, so I'm going in the right direction and I have the right team around me to do
that."
The US clinched their sixth Hopman Cup title with a 2-1 win over Belgium's pairing
of Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans in the final.
The tie was locked at 1-1 after the singles rubbers but the US crushed Belgium 6-1
6-3 in the deciding mixed doubles.
World No.58 Mattek-Sands, who only received a call-up to play when Serena Williams
pulled out through injury, pushed Henin all the way in the women's singles before
losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
The 25-year-old said the week in Perth, and her encounter against Henin in
particular, had boosted her confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
"I think my next goal on paper would be to get top 32," Mattek-Sands said.
"That's where you get seeded at a slam.
"But other than that it's just really all based on my game.
"I mean I play aggressive, I go for my serves, I serve and volley.
"As long as I stick to that, wins come."
at this month's Australian Open, believing he has developed a game plan to beat the
hard-hitting Scot.
Murray crushed world No.19 Isner 6-4 6-2 at the Hopman Cup on Friday but the 206cm
American had the last laugh, teaming with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to beat Belgium in
Saturday's final.
Isner also lost to Murray at last year's Australian Open, but the 25-year-old is
hoping for a re-match at Melbourne Park.
"I would love to get another crack at him because I feel I know the game plan
against him a little bit better," Isner said.
"What he did to me last year in Australia - you know it was really hot.
"He got me running, he just took my legs out of me.
"You have to attack the first ball. You have to crush returns. You have to get out
on the offensive.
"If I miss, so be it.
"Missing a forehand and losing a point is a lot better than losing a 15-ball rally
when he's running me side to side.
"He always has a good game plan no matter who he's playing. He does try to suck you
in and lure you into his game."
But it's not only Murray who Isner wants to dethrone, with Rafael Nadal, Roger
Federer and Novak Djokovic also in his sights.
"I think beating one of those four top players would be a signature win for sure,"
Isner said.
"I've played them all and never beat them.
"I think eventually this year I'll get a look at all those guys and just see how I
can do.
"My career I feel is heading in the right direction.
"Each year I continue to get better. I started the year at this tournament last year
at 30-something (in the rankings).
"Now I'm (ranked) 19. If I continue that I'll be even higher than 19 this time next
year, so I'm going in the right direction and I have the right team around me to do
that."
The US clinched their sixth Hopman Cup title with a 2-1 win over Belgium's pairing
of Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans in the final.
The tie was locked at 1-1 after the singles rubbers but the US crushed Belgium 6-1
6-3 in the deciding mixed doubles.
World No.58 Mattek-Sands, who only received a call-up to play when Serena Williams
pulled out through injury, pushed Henin all the way in the women's singles before
losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
The 25-year-old said the week in Perth, and her encounter against Henin in
particular, had boosted her confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
"I think my next goal on paper would be to get top 32," Mattek-Sands said.
"That's where you get seeded at a slam.
"But other than that it's just really all based on my game.
"I mean I play aggressive, I go for my serves, I serve and volley.
"As long as I stick to that, wins come."
