Isner drops French Open opener

May 28, 2008

Isner drops French Open opener Staff and Wire Reports Wednesday, May. 28, 2008 9:38 am

Credit: Lionel Cironneau/AP Photo John Isner returns the ball to Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela.

John Isner of Greensboro lost the fifth and deciding set in his first-round match of the French Open.

Isner, who starred at Page High School and the University of Georgia, lost this morning to Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 2-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. The match started Monday and was suspended by rain Tuesday tied at 1-1 in the fifth set.

Isner had 15 service aces to Chela’s 4. But Isner committed 81 unforced errors on the clay courts at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Chela had just 21 unforced errors.

Chela advances to play No. 22 seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain, who needed five sets to beat Santiago Ventura of Spain.