Analysis for Mahut-Isner (ATP Queens)

Head-to-head record 0:0

The grass specialist Nicolas Mahut from France will play another big server, John Isner from Unites States. Isner is known for his booming serve which is attributed, at least in part, to his height. Commentators have also praised his composure during matches, as displayed during his five consecutive 3rd-set tiebreaker wins in Washington, which were marked by his ability to bring out huge serves when it mattered most. Additionally he is known to back up his huge serves with approaches to the net, though he does not strictly serve and volley. Isner has been compared to Croatian Ivo Karlovic. Both are said to possess the best serves in tennis. Thus it will be almost impossible to break his serve on grass in London and we expect a very tight match here. Mahut is a natural born grass court player who made his career best result in Queens last year. At the 2007 Queen's Club Championships, Mahut defeated both fifth-seed Ivan Ljubicic and top-seed Rafael Nadal in straight sets, and on the same day, to reach the semi-finals, where he beat compatriot Arnaud Clement. He lost in 3 sets 4–6, 7–6 (7), 7–6 (2) to Andy Roddick in his first ATP final after holding one match-point in the second set tiebreak. He is also a tough player to break on this surface and we think the match will be decided in tiebreakers. We see the equal chances on both sides and Isner´s odds around 2.5 are good enough for us. We are keen to support the underdog here.