Isner proves benefit of playing close to home

Comfort and familiarity can go a long ways on the tennis tour as John Isner and Leonardo Mayer proved last week.

Isner, a North Carolina native and University of Georgia alum, rode the local crowd support to a fifth BB&T Atlanta Open title. Playing in the heat of the day in humid “Hotlanta,” Isner found a second and third wave as he fended off countryman Ryan Harrison in three sets in a rematch of last year’s final.

Isner joins an exclusive club of American men with five or more titles at the same tournament, proving that the home Southern comforts can go a long way for someone traveling as much as the 33 year-old.

It was a little bit of a surprise that Isner decided to defend his title. It was just weeks ago that he lost a heartbreaking 26-24 marathon to Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon.

Isner is right back to work this week at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. where he's the No. 2 seed.

ATP & WTA Washington D.C.

Catch all the action from the Citi Open with live coverage from three courts on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Monday, July 30th at 2:00 PM ET. All matches also available on-demand.