Tennis: Isner takes Heineken Open

John Isner celebrates winning his final match against Arnaud Clement. Photo / Getty Images

John Isner of the United States has won the Heineken Open tennis singles title in Auckland today.

Isner beat Arnaud Clement of France in a tight three-set final 6-3 5-7 7-6.

The 2.06m Isner dominated the first set, winning 6-3 as Clement struggled to make any headway with Isner's huge serve.

Clement fought hard in the second set, however, pressuring Isner's serve on a couple of occasions before breaking in the 12th game to take the set.

Both players lost their first service game in the final set. Momentum was with Clement for some time as Isner made a number of unforced errors.

The American didn't manage to retain his composure until the 12th game. Clement had one match point on Isner's serve but could not convert, and the final set went to a tiebreak.

Both players had a mini-break early in the tiebreak but Isner fought his way to a 6-2 lead and won with a stunning forehand return.

It was the first title on the ATP Tour for Isner, a 24-year-old from North Carolina.

- NZPA