Big-serving Isner wins ATP Auckland Open

Big-serving American John Isner beat Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun in two tight sets in the Auckland Open final on Saturday to complete his preparations for next week's Australian Open in style. The world number 14 edged Lu 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (9/7) to win the eighth title of his career in a match with no service breaks. The tall American relied heavily on his rocket serve, sending down 23 aces, and after being taken to break point in his first service game was never seriously threatened on serve again. The third seed, 28, had three break points of his own in the first set. He was unable to convert any of them but edged Lu in the tie-break. In the second set he twice had Lu 0-40 on serve, but the 30-year-old Taiwanese fought back both times to send the match into a second tie-break. It is the second Auckland Open title for Isner, who also won the event in 2010. Lu, ranked 62 in the world, was playing in his first Tour final, having knocked out four-time champion and world number three David Ferrer in the semi-finals. Source: AFP