Friday, April 14, 2017

No. 2 John Isner falls to Ernesto Escobedo at Clay Court Champs

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved
By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 14, 2017) In a match that lasted just over three hours, wild card entry Ernesto Escobedo upset No. 2 seed John Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (6), 7-5 (5) in the quarterfinal round of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay  Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club in Houston on Friday, April 14, 2017. The 20-year-old from West Covina, California trailed Isner in most statistical categories; except the final score. It was the first time the two right-handers had faced each other and the win was a major accomplishment for the Escobedo who turned pro three years ago. He is only one of seven Top 100 ranked players in the world under 21 years of age, and four of those are playing at River Oaks.


Isner , who last won the tournament in 2013, may have been feeling the effects of his professional tennis travels. With Davis Cup matches preceding the Clay Court Championships in Houston this year, 11 players travelled from various locations around the world to be in Houston. Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Isner all travelled from Brisbane, Australia to compete in Houston.

Next up for Escobedo will be a semifinal match against Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, who dispatched American Sam Querry in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) on Friday.    

No comments: