Newport Open 2022: John Isner vs. Maxime Cressy Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2022 Newport Open as John Isner takes on Maxime Cressy in the Semifinal on Saturday, July 16th, 2022.

Will John Isner create more history at the Newport Open? Or will he come unstuck against countryman Maxime Cressy in a battle between two of the biggest servers in men’s tennis?

John Isner has made the Newport Open his own personal playpen. Not many active players hold the distinction of winning a grass court tournament, but to do it four times in one event speaks of one’s sheer longevity and consistency at the top level. And it looks like the 37-year-old is not winding down anytime soon. Isner extended his winning streak at the last grass court stop of the season with an absorbing 7-6 6-7 7-6 win over Benjamin Bonzi to set up a big-serving feast against compatriot Maxime Cressy.

Maxime Cressy, for his part, continues to enjoy a fine grass court swing. The Eastbourne finalist reached his second semifinal on grass following a three-set win over 2018 Newport Open champion Steve Johnson. Cressy is yet to drop serve this week and will look to hit double digit wins on grass when he takes on Isner on Saturday.

Maxime Cressy leads John Isner 1-0 in their head-to-head. That titanic meeting took place at this year’s Australian Open where Cressy defeated his fellow big serve in five sets. We will most certainly get at least a tiebreak on Saturday at the Newport Open because rallies will be at a premium. Cressy is still looking to put the icing on the cake on what has been a brilliant breakout year on the ATP Tour. He has faltered at the final hurdle multiple times this season, but he is due to go one better this week. Having tallied breathtaking wins over the likes of Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime in recent weeks, he might just serve John Isner a taste of his own medicine on Saturday.