John Isner stunned by Reilly Opelka, wins for Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans

ATP Tour
Reilly Opelka

Five-times champion John Isner made an early exit from Atlanta Open as he was sent packing by Reilly Opelka while Great Britain duo Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans advanced.

Two-time defending champion Isner came into the match having made the final in nine of his previous 10 appearances while he also reached the semi-final in 2012.

But he suffered his earliest loss as fellow big-serving American Opelka blasted his way to a 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5) win in two and a half hours.

“I was clutch on big moments in the match. First-set tie-break I played unbelievable, pretty much flawless, hit some great shots,” Opelka said.

“It’s so hard to play three tie-breaks with him because there’s just so much pressure, there’s so much stress for three hours straight. It’s tough. I’m thrilled to get through.”

Up next for Opelka is Evans after the Brit also battled to a 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-2 win over sixth seed Radu Albot.

British No 2 Norrie had no problems seeing off world No 117 Kwon Soon-woo from South Korea, winning 6-3, 6-2 to set up a quarter-final match against Alexei Popyrin after the 19-year-old Australian stunned fourth seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert with a 7-5, 6-3 win.

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Cameron Norrie Dan Evans Reilly Opelka

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