Giant turns giant-killer as Isner topples Roddick

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Giant John Isner turned giant-killer on Saturday by cutting down his friend Andy Roddick in the third round of the U.S. Open.

The 2.06-meter-tall (6-foot-9) American used a devastating serve, airliner wing span at the net and improved fitness to post a 7-6 6-3 3-6 5-7 7-6 win over the 2003 champion and Wimbledon runner-up.

"It's obviously, hands down, the biggest win of my career," the 55th-ranked Isner told reporters after winning the climactic decider 7-5. "Nothing even compares. To do it at the stage I did it on is pretty spectacular.

"The hair was kind of standing up on the back of my neck at some points in the match," he said about the electricity of playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of 23,000 fans.

Isner rocketed 38 aces past Roddick, winning 80 percent of his first serves, and claimed 42 points at the net as he pressed forward at every opportunity.

The one downer for 24-year-old Isner, a late-bloomer who got serious about tennis at the University of Georgia, was holding his grand slam coming out party at the expense of Roddick, who had been his role model.

Roddick said he threw everything he could at his imposing target, yet the 27-year-old American often looked like he was playing uphill as he sent futile passing shots at the huge serve-and-volleyer.

"You can't really teach 6-foot-9, especially coming down on a serve," said fifth-seeded Roddick. "You try to fight it off as much as you can. Sometimes you can, and sometimes it's completely out of your hands."

Roddick, who inspired Isner to get more serious about his conditioning, had mixed feelings.

"I'm happy for him," he said. "I'm mad that obviously it came at my expense."

Still, Roddick complimented Isner on his progress. "There's no comparison to him now compared to last year. I think he's being a lot more professional now. I think he's doing the things he needs to be doing."

Isner chalked up his improvement to a number of factors and also credited his coach, Craig Boynton.

"I think match experience, conditioning. I think physically I'm a lot stronger. I spend a lot of time in the weight room," said Isner, still looking for his first tour title.

Isner said Roddick, who rededicated himself to getting fitter and faster, set an example for all American players.

"Andy in general pushes every American player because he's the guy that we all look up to," the soft-spoken Isner said.

"He sets the bar real high. He's five in the world. Nobody's even close to him in America.

"He's really the guy that all of us kind of aspire to be and try to be better than him, if that's possible. Just the way he competes, his attitude going about a match inspires me."

Isner next meets 10th-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and said he was eager for the next challenge.

"I know I can really do some damage here," he said. "So I'm not satisfied just yet."

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)