Isner’s Serve Likely Means an 11th Career Title

[1] John Isner (USA) vs [Q] Matthew Ebden (AUS)

John Isner should win this match.  He has won 10 ATP titles and is in his 23rd ATP Tour final.  Isner has also won Newport 2 times in the past.  Ebden is playing in his 1st ever tour final.  That alone should give Isner a mental edge knowing how to play a tournament final.  Beyond that, Isner’s serve is massive.  Isner also will be playing on a weekend partially dedicated to a friend of his in Andy Roddick.  Ebden has some hope in that he can likely hold serve against Isner.  Holding means that sets can be close and allow for Ebden to have a few chances late in sets or in tiebreaks.  Still, Isner is the clear favorite.

My Prediction: John Isner d. Matthew Ebden 6-4, 7-5

Powershares Legends (11 a.m. start)

Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Jim Courier (USA)

Andy Roddick (USA) vs. James Blake (USA)

Mardy Fish (USA) OR Jim Courier (USA) vs Andy Roddick (USA) OR James Blake (USA)

It is a great idea to play some Powershares sets before the men’s final.  The thing is with Andy Roddick’s family here and his induction to the International Tennis Hall of fame taking place less than 24 hours prior means that no one is going to offer Andy Roddick a ton of resistance.  Also, Roddick won Queen’s Club 4 times and reached the Wimbledon final in 2004, 2005, and 2009.  He was better on grass than any of the other three legends. Roddick gets to run a victory lap of sorts.