Adrian Mannarino signed his first “regular” victory in Melbourne over John Isner (6-7 (7), 7-6 (8), 6-2, 6-2). Here he is in the second round where he will face Alex de Minaur.
In nine confrontations, Adrian Mannarino had beaten John Isner only once. And again, on a retirement after two games, at Wimbledon 2013. The Frenchman finally signed his first “regular” victory over the American by dominating him in the first round of the Australian Open 6-7 (7) , 7-6 (8), 6-2, 6-2. Although Isner suffered from lower back pain from the start of the third set, “Manna” clearly dominated this second part of the match.
A decisive tie-break in the 2nd set
The meeting had indeed been interrupted by the rain on Tuesday evening, while Isner led 7-6, 3-4, 30-0. It resumed on Wednesday in very windy conditions. She clearly rocked at the end of the second set. Already summoned to save three break points at 5 everywhere, Mannarino still had to dismiss two set points in the tie-break that followed. A superb backhand volley and a smash erased this double threat. A subtle dipping backhand pass then brought it back level, one set all.
Physio for Isner
Complaining of pain in his lower back, Isner left the court at 2-1 in the third set to be handled by the physio. The intervention did not have the desired effect. Less sharp in the service (only 21 aces in four sets), more and more awkward in the exchange (42 unforced errors), where the low trajectories of the French martyred him, the American withered in the third and fourth sets. Mannarino concludes the game without flinching, on a shutout and an ace. He will face in the second round Alex de Minaur, seeded 22, knocker in three sets of the Taiwanese Yu-Hsiou Hsu.