Isner aces into semis
Defending champion John Isner hammered 12 aces to defeat Izak van der Merwe 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) and reach the semifinals of the ATP Tour's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Friday.
Top-seeded Isner will square off against fellow American Ryan Harrison who was leading 6-4, 3-0 in his quarterfinal when Benjamin Becker, of Germany, retired with an injury.
"He mixed up the serve and volleys more than I anticipated. I thought he was going to do it every time, so that threw me off a little bit," said Isner.
The 26-year-old Isner is seeking to reach his third final of the year and defend a title for the first time in his career. He finished runner up earlier this year to Roger Federer at Indian Wells.
Isner, who beat Belgian Olivier Rochus in last year's final, won 85 per cent of his first-serve points against the South African qualifier on the grass courts.
German Becker retired from his match after 57 minutes with a left hamstring injury.
Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt will face American Rajeev Ram in Saturday's other semifinal.
Hewitt is a two-time major championship winner and Ram won this event three years ago.
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