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Both sailed past round one without losing a single service game

Isner saved a few set points in the first set tie-break while Lopez saved all three break points. Both averaged almost two aces per service game and what else to expect today but dominance on serving

It was Isner's first match since the knock-out in Roland Garros second round. That means he's been without a match in almost three weeks and such long breaks normally affect him since he needs a few wins to find return and to be able to do more in rallies. Until that happens, Isner is relying on the serve, his most powerful weapon, and on the pressure it creates with the opponent. The same happened against his young countryman Donaldson. 

The numbers are no surprise. Isner fired 21 ace in 11 service games, won 90% of first serve points, just like Donaldson. The problem for Donaldson was that his first serve wasn't good enough. He had two set points in first set tie-break and failed to covert them. Isner went on to use his 5th set point n the 24-point long tie-break. Both carried on not allowing the opponent to convert any break points until 4-4 when Isner managed to convert the only break point in the whole match.

- I did very well on clay. I lost to Chardy but I would have defeated a lot of players with that kind of a day. He did really great. I got back home to rest a little bit after Paris.  I worked really hard the past week and coming back to London always makes me happy - Isner said.

Lopez opened the grass-court season last week. It was an unsuccessful start but Groth is a very good server who already won a challenger title in these conditions. The Spaniard lost that match despite his serving dominance. He is now defending the final from last season.

Lopez also went past his first round opponent without losing a single service game. He fired 17 aces in 9 service games and won 89%of first serve points. The Portuguese had three break points but missed out on all three, which proved deadly as he allowed Lopez to convert one break point in each set. Lopez is now to have it much tougher against opponent's serve. He was convincing last year in Shanghai but the result of their only match on grass is no surprise. All four sets finished in tie-breaks and another match that will be decided by the smallest details is expected today. 

I am aware that the odds have been cut, they're on the margin of profitability, but I also can't see how this can fail except with a series of double faults or with a few consecutive lucky returns. Even if someone takes the 30-00 lead on the return, that doesn't have to play a role here. Isner and Lopez played against each other on Wimbledon last year and I made practically the same bet. There were no breaks in the first three sets, and the fourth one finished 7-5. There were only 7 break point chances and only one break in the entire match. The conditions here are even faster. Isner hit 21 aces in the first round, Lopez 17. They practically hit two aces per service game. They both won 90% of first serve points and of course saved their serve until the end. Simply put, it all points at a new tiebreak. I'm looking at it this way. If I could chose the court for this bet, I would have chosen Queens or Newport.