KEY POINTS:
Gangly American qualifier John Isner continues to be the big - make that really big - surprise package of the Heineken Open after defeating countryman Robby Ginepri in the best match of the tournament so far.
A large crowd had gathered at court six by the time the epic struggle went to a third set tiebreak and they witnessed the 2.08m Isner shake off mounting exhaustion to fire down three consecutive aces to take the match.
"That is my weapon, my serve," he said. "They were probably the three biggest serves of the match. Even though I was a bit tired I was able to muster up enough energy to hit those big ones."
Having endured three three-set matches in qualifying and had six of the 14 sets he has played in the last five days go to tiebreaks, it's no wonder Isner is a bit fatigued. "It was hot, really hot out there. I was kicking myself in the butt for not finishing it off in two sets.
"I knew eventually he was going to start getting a better look at my serve because he is a great returner and that is what happened. He took the second set and from then on it was a war."
At well over 2m tall and big with it at 108kg, Isner is an easy figure to recognise. He has attracted a cult following and is hoping that support follows him into his quarter-final against fourth seed Robin Soderling tonight.
At 144 in the world, Isner is far and away the lowest-ranked player left in the tournament.
"Physically I am not the freshest out there but I have a lot of momentum on my side," he said. "Hopefully it's a quick match in my favour. I don't know if I can do another three-setter."
