Wimbledon 2018: John Isner targets sweet taste of Wimbledon success after revealing KitKat habit
The 33-year-old American has long been conscious of the importance of nutrition and diet, but he has been allowing himself a regular chocolate treat during his run to the semi-finals
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John Isner knows just how he will celebrate if he reaches the Wimbledon final – with a KitKat.
The 33-year-old American has long been conscious of the importance of nutrition and diet, but he has been allowing himself a regular chocolate treat during his run to the semi-finals.
“After each win throughout these 10 days, I’ve had a KitKat. I’m not going to change that now,” Isner said.
It is a routine which has served Isner well, the ninth seed winning the battle of the ace specialists against Milos Raonic in four sets in the quarter-finals.
He will face a familiar figure in the last four in the shape of 6ft 8in Kevin Anderson, the eighth seed and conqueror of Roger Federer. Isner stands two inches taller than his South African opponent.
Anderson is a man that Isner played several times on the US college circuit and he leads their professional head-to-head 8-3.
Isner added: “There could be a little mental aspect in our match. I say that because our rivalry goes back way before the pro tour.
“We’ve been lined up against each other for about 14 years now, because he left Illinois when I left Georgia. We’ve been doing it ever since.
“For me this match-up, and I think for him as well, is especially cool. It’s a very nice spotlight on college tennis that one of us, no matter what, is going to be playing in the Wimbledon final.
“We’re duking it out in the semi-finals. The two of us went to college, did it a different route. It’s pretty cool.”
Anderson caused the shock of the men’s tournament when he edged out eight-time winner Federer in a Court One marathon, winning 13-11 in the fifth set on Wednesday.
Former world No 1 John McEnroe feels that will play into Isner’s hands, telling ESPN: “I think the legs will be a little shot for Kevin in the semis, so I like John’s chances there.”
Waiting for the winner will be either three-time champion Novak Djokovic or two-time winner Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic, back from injury, is looking close to his best after a four-set win over Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals while Nadal overcame Juan Martin del Potro in five.
The pair have played each other an incredible 51 times, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head by just one.
He won their last Wimbledon meeting, in the 2011 final, but retired injured when trailing Nadal in a semi-final at the All England Club four years earlier.
“There is no one other match in the history of tennis that is played more than our match,” said French Open champion Nadal.
“That’s a big thing. We always played in important stages, important places.
“Friday is another important match against an opponent that is one of the most difficult ones that you can face. He’s playing well.”
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