Tennis: Tricky big-hitter Isner could be king of the aces

There's not a lot of mystery in the way John Isner approaches tennis.

His opponents in Auckland's Heineken Open next week will know exactly what is coming when they look up and see the world No 34's towering 2.06m, 111kg frame at the other end of the court - a huge serve and an equally big forehand.

The former American college star and fledgling pro is certainly no artiste like Roger Federer, fighter like Rafael Nadal, or terrier like David Ferrer.

He doesn't have immaculate ground strokes or an all-court game. But Isner isn't worried about what he doesn't have. He may be a two-trick pony, but they are pretty darn good tricks.

His thunderous serve comes down from a height usually reserved for birds roosting in trees, and his forehand efficiently mops up weak returns, if the ball comes back at all.

On return he'll take what's on offer but, as often as not, he'll happily boom away on serve and wait for a tiebreak.

It is a simple formula - and it works. Isner served 38 aces in his epic third round, five-set victory over Andy Roddick at last year's US Open.

In a season when his ranking improved from 143 to its present career-high mark, he hammered down 653 aces, despite an extended layoff caused by a bout of mononucleosis. He won 89 per cent of his service games and had a 27-12 record in tiebreaks.

In Auckland last year Isner's run through qualifying to the quarter-finals was one of the tournament's most enjoyable sub-plots.

Along the way he survived three three-setters in qualifying - including recovering from 3-0 down in the deciding set against Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci - and edged an epic second-round thriller against countryman Robby Ginepri in a third-set tiebreak.

This year, when his big-man's approach will provide a welcome contrast to the steady diet of workaholic Spaniards, the personable American is hoping to play more than a bit-part role.

"Hopefully I can do well like I did last year and go a little bit further, and hopefully I can do it a little bit easier instead of winning those long three-set matches," he said.

"But this field is so tough. There are eight guys in the top 32 or something like that."

After a rebound season last year, when he recovered from a down year after initially making a huge splash shortly after turning pro, Isner comes into this year full of confidence.

He has also had some tough match practice, representing the United States in the Hopman Cup in Perth alongside Melanie Oudin.

His results weren't great, losing in three sets to Heineken Open top seed Tommy Robredo and in straight sets to Lleyton Hewitt before being handed a walkover by Victor Hanescu. But Isner got enough out of the matches to feel primed for a run in Auckland.

"I didn't play my best tennis last week but that tournament doesn't count for rankings, there are no points involved, it is more of an exhibition.

"I served pretty well. I didn't serve as well in my last match but in my first match of the year against Robredo I was able to serve well so hopefully I can keep that up this week.

"This is going to be a more tournament-like atmosphere, which I play better in. Coming in I feel good and I feel strong.

"The first match will be the toughest, it always is. But if I can get that one under my belt I would be feeling pretty good."

Having risen up the tennis food chain to the point where he no longer has to play qualifiers, Isner's chances of making a splash in Auckland this year are dramatically improved.

Last year he played 14 sets, including seven tiebreaks, just to get to the quarter-finals. His opponent, Swede Robin Soderling, had played just three.