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Isner: I play the best against the best

The American won two matches without losing a set after two consecutive defeats, so he's very self-confident before facing Murray. The Scott easily defeated Sousa who had nothing to threaten with. He was humble after the win, unlike in Toronto

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Murray sounded unusually self-confident last week. We've been listening to humble statements for months, even when he got to Roland Garros semifinal. After defeating the young Kyrgios in Toronto, he said he hasn't been that ready for a long time. He did preparations on Florida with full intensity for the first time after the surgery, and he looked like one of the main candidates for the title. Then Tsonga grounded him, and three others in Top 10. The Scott is now close to being eliminated from Top 10. His statements are a lot more careful, even though he easily dealt with the first obstacle. He learned the lesson in Toronto.

Sousa came to Cincinnati with four defeats in a row. He struggled against the American with no ATP experience in the first round, so the defeat against Murray isn't surprising. Besides, Murray faced him in Acapulco this season. The Portuguese surprised us then by coming to the net all the time. It didn't help, he had no solution this time. Murray had an almost perfect realization on break-balls. He missed only one (3/4), and saved both.

- I won and that's what matters most. We have tricky conditions this week, and a lot of players struggle controlling the ball, so I'm happy with my performance - Murray commented on the windy conditions that are troubling everyone these days, and he complimented the defeated opponent:

- Sousa is a tough opponent. He can hit a lot of balls back, and he always fights till the last point. I think a win against him is a good sign for the rest of the tournament.

Regardless of compliments, it was just a warm-up for Murray. He could calmly rely on his baseline game in that match. He didn't expect bombs from across the net. Now, it's a different story. Isner wasn't available for the national media last week. After defending the title in Atlanta, he was very self-confident. He blamed the organizers in Washington for his defeat for not putting him to the center stadium, and after being eliminated in Toronto, he had nothing to say. He got back to work, and two early eliminations in the last week got him further away from getting back to Top 10.

The American sent everyone a message by defeating Anderson. Even though the South African is traditionally a tough opponent, Isner did a great job this time. No tie-breaks. He kept up with it against Matosevic who's playing his most mature season so far. It didn't help him because he got his only game with a break-ball. Isner needed five before he used the last one and finally lead 3-1. After that, we saw no more chances on return. Regardless, Isner played the tie-break on a high level, too. He had three mini-breaks, and left the Australian with one point.

- We haven't faced each other for a few years now. Andy is one of the world's best, but it's a big challenge and a big chance for me. I usually play the best against the best, so I look forward to this match - Isner announced the match against the double Grand Slam winner.

Murray won all three matches he played against Isner, if we count in the Hopman Cup. He won all three long sets, where Isner is the most dangerous. Still, he'll have to be careful. Isner defeated three Top 10 players in Cincinnati last year, and Nadal only defeated him in the tie-break in the final.