Isner beats Bublik for 4th Newport ATP title

NEW YORK, July 22 (AFP): American John Isner captured his fourth title at the ATP grass court tournament at Newport, Rhode Island, on Sunday, beating Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

Isner, who was sidelined by a stress fracture in his left foot for three months after reaching the Miami final in March, was the top seed in the tournament that he also won in 2011, 2012 and 2017.

Bublik, the seventh-seeded 22-year-old from Kazakhstan who was playing in his first ATP final, double-faulted on break point to fall behind 3-2 in the second set, and that was the only opening the big-serving Isner needed.

The 34-year-old American -- who produced only a modest five aces but put 79 percent of his first serves in play -- finished off the match with a forehand winner even as he slipped on the grass and sprawled forward.