How John Isner claimed all four Miami Open tie breaks against Felix Auger-Aliassime?

John Isner and Felix Auger-Aliassime have forged quite a rivalry at the Miami Open in the last two editions, playing four sets and finishing all of them in the tie break!

The more experienced American has won all four tight sets against the young gun, prevailing in the 2019 semi-final and repeating that on Sunday to reach the last 16. Two years ago, Isner won the tie breaks 7-3 and 7-4, serving well and making enough damage on the return to avoid more drama. Yesterday, the giant server grabbed both tie breaks 7-5 to move over the top and avoid spending more time on the court.

In 2019, John and Felix played for the final, with the home player prevailing 7-6, 7-6 in an hour and 53 minutes for his fifth Masters 1000 title match. An 18-year-old Canadian qualified for the main draw and beat five rivals to become the youngest Masters 1000 semi-finalist. There was a massive opportunity for Felix to go even further, scoring a break in each set and serving for both, only to get broken in the worst moments and fall in tie breaks to propel John through. Isner produced incredible mental strength at Miami Open that year, winning all nine tie breaks before Roger Federer halted him in the title match.

Against Auger-Aliassime, Isner opened a 4-3 gap in the first tie break with a volley winner, confirmed the advantage with two service winners and clinched the set when Felix sprayed a forehand mistake. The Canadian led 5-3 in set number two, only to lose serve when it mattered the most and introduce another tie break. The American opened an early advantage and kept it with four service winners that carried him home.

Nothing could separate them in the most recent Miami match, with no break chances and one point more on Isner's tally! In the first tie break, Felix hit a terrible smash at 0-1 to fall behind before John forged a 3-0 advantage with a forehand winner. Felix climbed back to 3-4, but John stayed in front with two unreturned serves, hitting another at 6-5 to close the set. Isner wasted a 3-0 advantage in the second set tie break before seizing a long rally at 6-5 that pushed him over the finish line.