34th WEEK

John Isner [28] after a disappointing first half of the season (a negative 11-14 record after Wimbledon) found his last year’s form in Newport and won explicitly more matches in the last two months (17) than in the first six months of the year. In the first edition at the Winston-Salem Open, he claimed his third career title serving 66 aces in the process (17, 10, 12, 8, 19). “Any time you win a tournament at this level, it is a huge accomplishment. For me personally, it is great, to win here in virtually my hometown. I think this is perfect preparation for me heading up north.” said the tallest American player. The beaten finalist, qualifier Julien Benneteau [113] had won three dramatic matches in a row – he was two points away from defeat to Andreev, afterwards saved match points against Stakhovsky and Haase snapping a career-best 8-match winning streak of the latter. The Frenchman has lost five finals not having a title under his belt #

Finals:

Winston Salem (250)
S: (4)John Isner d. (q)Julien Benneteau 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
D: J.Erlich/A.Ram d. (4)C.Kas/A.Peya 7-6(2), 6-4

Choker of the week:

Robin Haase – in the semifinals he was two points away from the win against Julien Benneteau in the 2nd set, in the 3rd set he led 5:2*, he was a couple times two points away again at 5:4 and held a double match point in the deciding tie-break. Benneteau won 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) after 2 hours 31 minutes.

# The most losing finals without a title:

6 – Pierre Barthes (1969-72), Steve Denton (1981-84), Lawson Duncan (1985-90)
5 – Georges Goven (1970-75), Carlos Kirmayr (1976-82), Martin Damm (1996-98), Daniel Vacek (1994-99) & Julien Benneteau (2008-11)

* Cedric Pioline was a record holder once with 9 defeats in his first nine finals, but he finished career with a 5-12 record