Isner powers past Pospisil in 3 sets to move into SAP Open quarter-finals

Antonio Gonzalez, The Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. - John Isner powered his way into the quarter-finals of the SAP Open on Wednesday night, pounding 14 aces in a 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 victory over Vancouver's Vasek Pospisil.

The hard-serving American overcame a shaky second set, held off two break points in the third set with aces and finished off the pesky Pospisil behind some pretty passing shots. Isner will play the winner of Xavier Malisse and Matthew Ebden on Friday.

After dropping out of the Australian Open because of a nagging right knee and losing his final Davis Cup match in the United States' win over Brazil last weekend, the 16th-ranked Isner hardly showed the poise and polish of his past. He still hit 77 per cent of his first serves, which topped out at 137 mph, making up for most of the misses.