Tennis: Isner expected to turn out for Heineken Open

John Isner hurt his ankle but organisers say he will play in Auckland. Photo / NZPA

Heineken Open tournament director Karl Budge expects John Isner to play this week, despite an ankle injury that forced the American out of the Hopman Cup.

The world No14, second seed at Auckland, told Australian media yesterday he was still optimistic of playing at the Australian Open in Melbourne, which follows the week after the Heineken Open.

Isner withdrew from his scheduled clash with Radek Stepanek at Perth Arena on Friday night.

"In my previous match I was in a bit of pain," Isner said. "I was able to play through that match but I was practising (on Thursday) and it just wasn't quite feeling right, so unfortunately I had to pull out. I feel awful about this. But what I do know is I don't think it's as severe as what happened to me last year.

"Hopefully I can get fit and get ready for the Australian Open coming up because that's the big one," said Isner.

No mention was made of the Heineken Open which suggested Auckland may not be front of mind for Isner - but Budge is confident the American will make his fourth appearance in Auckland.

"I've already spoken to his agent and the feedback at the moment is that his injury is not that serious," Budge told the Herald on Sunday. "He is very popular here and at this stage I expect him to be out on court this week."

Isner was scheduled to arrive last night and Budge said his only request at this stage was for a "late match" on Wednesday. As one of the top four seeds, Isner receives a bye into the second round, and will most likely be scheduled for a night match.

After the injury withdrawal of world No18 Tommy Robredo last week, the loss of Isner would be a severe blow for the tournament.

The 2.08m American has a great record here. In 2009, ranked 114 in the world, he progressed through qualifying all the way to the quarter-finals, beating two top 50 players on the way; he was only stopped by Swede Robin Soderling, who reached the French Open final that year.

The following year he took the title - but did it the hard way.

All but one of his matches, including the final against Frenchman Arnaud Clement, went to three sets and he also played (and won) four tie-breaks.

On his last visit in 2012, he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual finalist David Nalbandian.