Newport, RI (Sports Network) - Top seed and defending champion John Isner
and his fellow American Ryan Harrison posted quarterfinal victories Friday at
the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.
The 6-foot-9 Isner smacked 12 aces in getting past South African qualifier
Izak Van der Merwe 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) on the grass courts at the International
Tennis Hall of Fame.
Isner beat diminutive Belgian Olivier Rochus in last year's Newport
finale.
The towering Isner will meet the sixth-seeded Harrison in a semifinal here on
Saturday, the same day the Tennis Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2012,
including former players Jennifer Capriati, Gustavo Kuerten and Manuel
Orantes.
The rising 20-year-old Harrison was leading Benjamin Becker 6-4, 3-0 when the
German qualifier retired on Day 5.
Saturday's other semi will pit Aussie Lleyton Hewitt against American Rajeev
Ram, who was a surprise champion here three years ago. The long-time ATP star
Hewitt is a former world No. 1 and two-time major titlist.
The Sports Network