ATP US Open 2011 Preview: John Isner vs. Marcos Baghdatis

Isner was enduring a very disappointing season up until July but in the past couple of months it’s all come together for the big American. Two titles have come his way in Newport and Winston-Salem and he was a handful of points away from a third in Atlanta.

Isner plays best when he’s high on confidence and he has every reason to believe he can make the second week this year. On paper it’s a tough first round but Baghdatis has rarely performed in New York.

One would expect the energetic, vibrant atmosphere of Flushing Meadows to be perfect for the Cypriot’s exuberant spirit but even last year when he came in on the back of a win over Rafa Nadal, he still managed to screw things up and went out in round one.

Baghdatis at his peak is one heck of a shot-maker but he’s struggled this summer (well all year to be honest) and it’s tough to see him surviving the serving barrage Isner will throw at him.

Isner’s already beaten him twice in the past few weeks and he’ll do so again in straight sets.