Betdistrict.com
These two meet again in an ATP tour semifinal after doing so only two weeks ago, in Newport. Hewitt won that match (5-7 6-2 6-4) and I expect the same result today.
Two of the biggest reasons for this expectations are the H2H and the match-up. including that recent Newport win, Lleyton leads the H2H 4-1 (2-0 on hard courts). He beat John twice this year, in Indian Wells and at above-mentioned Newport. Hewitt is well-known for his return of serve and his ability to neutralize big servers, so this Head 2 Head score is not a fluke, it tells a big story. The australian owns the match-up against big servers and of course against Isner too, no doubt about it.
Big John is just having a really bad year for his level. He can`t find his rythm whatetever he does. He won at Houston on clay in april, but that is a strange tournament, and anyway that was his only final and performance this year. He was horrible in the clay and grass court seasons. Isner`s serve is still reliable (usually), but he seems to have lost a step in movement, and for sure consistency is disastrous for him at this moment, as it seems he can`t hit more than 5 shots to save his life. Here at Atlanta he was again rather disappointing, despite reaching the semis. Losing a set to Christian Harrison (outside 350 ATP) and beating Blake 7-6 7-6 with a lot of luck, these are not convincing results, but his play was even worse. Objectively, he could have won both games without a problem. He had a bye in the first round.
Hewitt is in great shape recently, semifinals at Queens, final at Newport, beating players like Del Potro, Querrey, Wawrinka, Dimitrov and, of course Isner. The australian really looks solid at the moment, few unforced errors, good on-court movement, great net-play, fantastic passing shots. He looked extremely sharp this weak, defeating Roger Vasselin and Williams in two sets before edging Dodig 1-6 6-3 6-0, completely deserved and with some impressing tennis in the second part of the game.
Isner would need his best form to get past the match-up advantage that Hewitt has, but John is nowhere near his usual level of play, let alone his best. Expect Hewitt to own the baseline rallies, and the american really has few chances to mix-it up, because if he`ll come at the net, he will be passed. John will stay in the game with his serve, maybe even snatch a tiebreak, but Lleyton should finally win it, he has the arguments to do it.
Match-up and form are two deadly combinations that need something special to lose. I don`t see the american to have that special something, not today. Odds are just fantastic, we have a case of overestimating Isner, while at the same time underestimating Hewitt. Good luck.
Pick: Hewitt
Odds: 2.14 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.12
Event date: 27 July
