Australian qualifier Matt Ebden will line up against No.1 seed John Isner at Newport in what will be his first career ATP final.
Newport, RI, USA, 23 July 2017 | tennis.com.au
The Australian, who qualified for the main draw, beat German Peter Gojowczyck 6-3 6-3 to take his place in a career-first ATP final.
There, he’ll meet John Isner, after the top seed dismissed fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-2 6-4.
“This is pretty cool,” Ebden told atpworldtour.com. “First time for this. I’m very happy. I’ve been building up my game the last six months. I love it here on the grass. I couldn’t be happier. Not only winning, but getting all these matches.
“I’ve had some good results here in the last six or seven years. Being out for six months last year allowed me to appreciate being on tour and let me turn the corner mentally.”
Hands up, @mattebden. You're in the #DellTechOpen final! pic.twitter.com/Z19zYS8Sa8
— Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) July 22, 2017
Isner owns a 2-0 head-to-head record over Ebden after beating the Aussie at Indian Wells in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2015.
Yet the world No.21 was wary of the challenge the Aussie would pose in Sunday’s final.
“He’s won six matches here and is certainly match tough,” Isner said.
“He’s playing the best tennis in a long time. Grass is his best surface. Tomorrow could be my toughest match and his toughest match as well. We’ll be in for a good fight.”
Meanwhile, in the doubles final, Aussie pairing John-Patrick Smith and Matt Reid fell in a thrilling match against top seeds Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Rajeev Ram.
Qureshi and Ram prevailed 6-4 4-6 [10-7] in a match tiebreak.
Nice job to our finalists @jpatsmith and @MattReid12345 #DellTechOpen pic.twitter.com/G4PjTJZTlr
— Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) July 22, 2017