Isner enhances reputation as clay-court threat

LONDON (AP)â€"John Isner further enhanced his reputation as a threat on clay with a straight-sets win over Gilles Simon on Friday to give the United States hope of an upset against France in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Isner, who beat Roger Federer on indoor clay in the first-round win in Switzerland, comfortably beat Simon 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 at the Monte Carlo Country Club to level at 1-1 against France after the opening day’s singles.

The winner of US-France looks set to face Spain in the semifinals after the defending champion took a 2-0 lead against Austria.

The Czech Republic leads 1-0 over a Serbia team missing No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic.

Later Friday, Janko Tipsarevic could level for Serbia against Radek Stepanek, and Argentina begins its home match against Croatia.

With a dominant serve and strong forehand, Isner’s game had until this season been considered more of a threat on quicker surfaces, but by following a four-set win over Federer in February with Friday’s rout of Simon, the American indicated he could make a run during the upcoming European claycourt season that culminates in the French Open in May.

Former U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe wrote on Twitter that the No. 11-ranked Isner could even reach the final at Roland Garros.

“I woke up this morning feeling very good,” Isner said. “I didn’t know, but I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day for me. That was the case. Because of that, it was a pretty good day for our team.”

Isner, a finalist at Indian Wells last month, leveled for the U.S. after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga put France ahead by beating teenager Ryan Harrison 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in the first singles match.

U.S. captain Jim Courier hopes the top-ranked doubles pair of Bob and Mike Bryan can give the visiting team a lead when they face the French pair of Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra on Saturday.

“Tomorrow will be a great doubles match between four great doubles players,” Courier said.

The Bryans are unbeaten in Davis Cup since losing to France in 2008, when Llodra was partnered by Arnaud Clement.

The U.S., which hasn’t reached the semifinals since 2008, is playing without the fatigued Mardy Fish, while France is missing Gael Monfils. Several other Davis Cup quarterfinalists are also under strength as the top players take the opportunity to rest during a busy season, which this year also includes the Olympics.

Spain made light of the absence of No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal by winning both the opening singles matches against Austria on clay in Castellon.

Nicolas Almagro easily beat Austria’s No. 1 Jurgen Melzer 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 before David Ferrer made it 2-0 by routing 139th-ranked Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.

“I was a little surprised how easy it was for us today,” Spain captain Alex Corretja said. “I was expecting especially in the first match for it to be more difficult but it didn’t happen. Lucky us. You need to be ready for the big fight and then if it’s easier it’s better for you.”

Serbia is missing No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, and got off to a bad start in the Czech Republic when Viktor Troicki was thrashed by Tomas Berdych, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.