Tennis: Nalbandian eyes Open prize

David Nalbandian in action against John Isner. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Argentine sixth seed David Nalbandian remains on track to add the Auckland men's Open to his 11 career titles after dethroning 2010 champion John Isner yesterday.

Nalbandian still has a couple of testing opponents in his way - firstly Spanish second seed Nicolas Almagro in today's semifinals - but the 28-year-old former world No 3 has been the class act of the tournament to date.

After withdrawing from last year's event without playing after accepting a wildcard, Nalbandian promised to return this year to demonstrate what he was capable of. So far the former Wimbledon finalist and four-time Grand Slam semifinalist has been good to his word.

A fixture in the top 10 from 2003 to 2007, Nalbandian's career appeared to be sliding after a rash of injuries. But following hip surgery last year he rebounded strongly, claiming a title in Washington after entering as a 117th-ranked wildcard.

That kept alive a streak of six consecutive seasons when he claimed a title. His rebound has continued in Auckland where he has posted three comfortable straight-sets victories to coast into the semifinals.

Yesterday he faced a vastly improved Isner; the defending champion survived his opening match on Wednesday night despite a poor showing.

Although Isner struck the ball better than he did in his tense victory over Robin Haase, he again started slowly and paid the price, dropping his serve early and blowing an immediate break-back chance to concede the set 6-4.

Isner had a set-point on Nalbandian's serve at 5-6 in the second set but he blasted his backhand wide.

Nalbandian closed out the game to send the set to a tiebreak. The short form decider is usually comfortable ground for Isner but he double faulted on the first point and never found his way back.

"I wish I could have played better but that is just how it goes," Isner said.

"He deserved to win the match and he is obviously a very tough player. He is so solid all round. It really wasn't my day."

The change of surface from Rebound Ace to Plexicushion at Stanley St apparently didn't help Isner. Last year his booming serves were catapulting into the stands. This year his opponents received them at a more comfortable height, negating one of the giant American's biggest advantages.

And if Nicolas Almagro's performance in breaking down the line judges as well as young French opponent Adrian Mannarino is anything to go by, it's doubtful the player will win many "person of the year" titles.

In fairness to Almagro, the line calling has been far from brilliant this week but both players suffered as 'overrules' flowed.

Almagro's antics were enough to turn a packed house against him but such trivialities matter little to the world No 15, who has also qualified for the doubles semifinals.

Almagro and Nalbandian have split their four meetings two apiece, though Nalbandian took the only match they have played on a hard court, in straight sets in 2007.

The short points and lack of rallies made it difficult to assess his performance against Isner but Nalbandian was bracing himself for a vastly different encounter today.

Top seed David Ferrer takes on Colombian Santiago Giraldo after Giraldo easily disposed of Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-2, 6-4 in last night's semifinal.

Ferrer was pushed to three sets for the second time this week before seeing off former champion Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in 2h 43m.