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CITI OPEN: DAY 6 MEDIA NOTES Saturday, August 8, 2015

William H.G. FitzGerald Center, Washington D.C., USA | August 3 – 9, 2015 Draw: S-48, D-16 | Prize Money: $1,753,020| Surface: Outdoor Hard

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US OPEN REMATCH, AMERICANS SQUARE OFF IN SEMI-FINALS

 Day 6: The Citi Open semi-finals is highlighted by a rematch between 2014 US Open finalists and two Americans squaring off. In the first semi-final, last year’s US Open runner-up will face the reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic. The No. 3 seed Cilic trails No. 2 seed Nishikori 3-5 in their head-to-head meetings, but the Croat won their last meeting at Flushing Meadows last year to capture his first career title. The second semi-final pits fellow Americans and . The unseeded Johnson trails the No. 1 American 1-3 in their head-to- head meetings, however his lone victory came here at the Citi Open last year in the second round.

 US Open Finalists Eye Finals: In a rematch of the 2014 US Open the reigning champion Marin Cilic looks to reach his first ATP World Tour final of the year, while finalist Kei Nishikori is looking to reach his third – won at Memphis (d. Anderson) and Barcelona (d Andujar). This is the first time in tournament history that the reigning US Open champion and runner-up meet, as it is the first time that both the current US Open champion and runner-up have played here.

 First and Last:

o Marin Cilic of Croatia and Kei Nishikori of are attempting to become the first player from their respective countries to reach the final here in the Open Era o The last and only player from Asia to reach the final here in the Open Era was Paradorn Srichaphan in 2002 (l. to Blake) o The last time two Americans faced each other in the SF was in 2009: (d. John Isner) o The last time two Americans reached the SF here was 2012: (l. to Haas), (l. to Dolgopolov) o The last American to win the title here was Andy Roddick in 2007 (d. Isner) o The last American to reach the final here was John Isner in 2013 (l. to del Potro) o The last unseeded finalist here was Radek Stepanek in 2011 (d. Monfils)

 Americans in Semi-finals: This is the fifth consecutive year that at least one American has reached the semi-finals here. Here’s a look at the Americans to reach the semi-finals or better since 2011:

2015: John Isner vs. Steve Johnson 2014: (l. Raonic) 2013: John Isner (d. Tursunov, l. to del Potro in F) 2012: Mardy Fish (l. to Haas) Sam Querrey (l. to Dolgopolov) 2011: John Isner (l. to Monfils) Donald Young (l. to Stepanek)

 Washington Isner’s Best Event: Isner’s best career win-loss record at an ATP World Tour event is here (22-7 record). He has reached the semi-finals or better here four times, including the final in 2007 (l. to Roddick) and 2013 (l. to del Potro). Isner’s career best ATP World Tour events are:

Citi Open Day 6 – Saturday, August 8, 2015 Page 2 of 5 www.ATPWorldTour.com

Washington: 22-7 (2007 & 2013 Finalist) Atlanta: 20-3 (2013, 2014 & 2015 Champion) Indian Wells: 18-8 (2012 Finalist) US Open: 17-8 (2011 Quarterfinalist) Newport: 15-5 (2011 & 2012 Champion) Winston-Salem: 12-0 (2011 & 2012 Champion) Auckland: 12-2 (2010 & 2014 Champion)

 2015 Match Wins Leaders: On Friday, Nishikori improved 41-9 on the year, third among match wins leaders on the ATP World Tour this season: W-L Titles 1) 48-3 6 48-8 3 3) Kei Nishikori 41-9 2 4) 40-7 3 Tomas Berdych 40-12 0

 Looking Ahead: Johnson is the only semi-finalist looking to reach his first career ATP World Tour final. Here is a look at all four players career records in ATP World Tour finals:

Player Career Finals Record Cilic 13-9 (11-5 on hard) Nishikori 9-5 (7-3 on hard)

Isner 10-9 (7-7 on hard) Johnson 0-0

SATURDAY FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play Stadium Court

(3) Marin Cilic (CRO) vs (2) Kei Nishikori (JPN) Nishikori Leads 5-3 08 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (U.S.A.) Hard R128 Marin Cilic 6-2 6-4 10 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R64 Kei Nishikori 5-7 7-6(6) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1 11 Chennai (India) Hard R32 Kei Nishikori 4-6 7-6 6-2 12 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Marin Cilic 6-3 6-4 6-7(3) 6-3 13 Memphis (U.S.A.) Hard QF Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-2 14 Brisbane (Australia) Hard QF Kei Nishikori 6-4 5-7 6-2 14 Barcelona (Spain) Clay QF Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-3 14 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard F Marin Cilic 6-3 6-3 6-3

Marin Cilic Kei Nishikori Sets Won: 12 12 Tiebreak Sets Won: 0 4

Match Wins By Surface: Clay: 0 1 Hard: 3 4 A glance at the semi-finalists this week: Cilic Nishikori Aces 27 15 1st percentage 57% 60% 1st Serve points won 84% 83% 2nd Serve points won 51% 61% Service games won 29 of 34, 85% 33 of 35, 94% (No. 5) Break points saved 4 of 9, 44% 9 of 11, 82% Break points converted 8 of 17, 47% 9 of 34, 26% Citi Open Day 6 – Saturday, August 8, 2015 Page 3 of 5 www.ATPWorldTour.com

Cilic FastFacts: 2015 Highlights: SF: Stuttgart (l Troicki); QF (3): ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (l Djokovic); Geneva (l Giraldo); Wimbledon (l Djokovic) YTD W-L: 17-10 (3-1 on hard) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 13 Date of Birth: September 28, 1988 Emirates ATP Ranking: 8 Washington W-L (Best Result-Year): 6-2 (SF 2010, ‘15)

 The 26-year-old Croat defeated German teenager Alexandr Zverev 75 76(3) to reach the SF here for the second time (2010). He needed two tie-breaks to get by American Sam Querrey 76(2) 76(3) in 95 minutes on Thursday. He opened with a 76(2) 63 win over Hyeon Chung on Wednesday. He is playing here for the third time and first time since reaching the SFs in 2010 (l. to eventual champion Nalbandian). Has a 6-2 tournament record  Playing in his first tournament since reaching the QF at Wimbledon for the second straight year (l. to eventual champion Djokovic)  Has reached the QFs or better five times this year (2-3 in QF matches). Best result was SF on grass at Stuttgart (l. to Troicki) in June  Looking to reach 23rd career ATP World Tour final (13-9, record, 11-5 on hard) and first since capturing his 13th career title last October at Moscow (d. Bautista Agut)  In Grand Slam play (7-2 record), reached QF at Wimbledon (l. to Djokovic) and 4R at Roland Garros (l. to Ferrer)  Best ATP Masters 1000 result was QF at Monte Carlo (l. to eventual champion) and 4R at Roland Garros (l. to Ferrer)

Nishikori FastFacts: 2015 Highlights: W (2): Memphis (d Anderson); Barcelona (d Andujar); F: Acapulco (l Ferrer); SF(3): Brisbane (l Raonic); ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (l Murray); Halle (l Seppi); QF(4): (l Wawrinka); ATP Masters1000 Miami (l Isner); ATP Masters 1000 Rome (l Djokovic); Roland Garros (l Tsonga) YTD W-L: 41-9 (24-5) YTD Titles: 2 / Career Titles: 9 Date of Birth: December 29, 1989 Emirates ATP Ranking: 5 Washington W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-4 (SF 2015)

 The 25-year-old from Japan advanced to the semi-finals here for the first time with a 64 64 win over on Friday. He advanced to quarter-finals here for the second year in a row with a 64 64 win over No. 16 seed on Thursday. He opened with a 67(8) 61 64 win over Aussie on Tuesday. He is making his 5th appearance here and also reached the QF last year (1R bye, l. to Gasquet). Has a 7-4 tournament record  Playing first event pulling out of his 2R at Wimbledon (vs. Giraldo) due to a left calf injury. Also retired in SFs in Halle (vs. Seppi) due to same injury  Has reached QF or better 11 times this year (7-4 in QF matches), highlighted by titles in Memphis (d. Anderson) for the third straight year and defended his title at Barcelona (d. Andujar). Also reached finals at Acapulco (l. to Ferrer)  Looking to reach his 15th career ATP World Tour final (9-5 record, 7-3 on hard)  In Grand Slam play (8-2 record), reached QF at Australian Open (d. Ferrer in 4R, l. to Wawrinka) and at Roland Garros (w/o vs. Becker in 3R, l. to Tsonga), reached 2R at Wimbledon (l. to Giraldo)  Best ATP Masters 1000 result was SF at Madrid (l. to Murray), also reached QF at Miami (l. to Isner) and Rome (l. to eventual champion Djokovic)

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(8) John Isner (USA) vs Steve Johnson (USA) Isner Leads 3-1 14 Washington (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Steve Johnson 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(6) 14 Masters 1000 Shanghai (China) Hard R32 John Isner 7-6(6) 7-6(7) 15 ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (Monaco) Clay R64 John Isner 6-4 6-4 15 Nice (France) Clay R16 John Isner 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3

A glance at the semi-finalists this week:

Isner Johnson Aces 47 (No. 3) 59 (No. 2) 1st Serve percentage 65% 60% 1st Serve points won 89% (No. 2) 80% 2nd Serve points won 61% (No. 4) 70% (No. 1) Service games won 35 of 37, 95% (No. 4) 46 of 48, 96% (No. 1) Break points saved 1 of 3, 33% 1 of 3, 33% Break points converted 6 of 18, 33% 10 of 35, 29%

Isner FastFacts: 2015 Highlights: W: Atlanta (d Baghdatis); SF (2): ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami (l Djokovic); Nice (l Thiem); QF(3): Memphis (l Querrey); ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (l Berdych); London / Queen's Club (l Troicki) YTD W-L: 30-16 (16-7 on hard) YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 10 Date of Birth: April 26, 1985 Emirates ATP Ranking: 18 Washington W-L (Best Result-Year): 22-7 (RUP 2007, 13)

 The 30-year-old American hit 20 aces and won four of his 11 break point chances in his 63 57 63 win over Ricardas Berankis to reach the SF here for the fifth time. He advanced to the QF with a 64 76(6) win over No. 12 seed on Thursday. He opened with a 63 76(5) win over Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos on Wednesday. He is a two-time finalist here – 2007 (l. to Roddick) and 2013 (l. to del Potro), also reach the SFs in 2009 (l. to Roddick) and 2011 (l. to Monfils). He is making his 8th appearance here and has a 22-7 tournament record  Appearing in his 4th ATP World Tour SF of the year (1-2 record)  Looking to reach his 20th career ATP World Tour final (10-9 record, 7-7 on hard)  Last week captured his 10th career ATP World Tour title and third in a row at Atlanta (d. Baghdatis). With the win he became the 8th active player to achieve a three-peat on the ATP World Tour. He also became the 16th 30 and over winner on the ATP World Tour this year  The No. 1 American has a 30-16 record this year (16-7 on hard). Reached SF at ATP Masters 1000 SF at Miami (l. to eventual champion Djokovic). Also reached SF at Nice (l. to eventual champion Thiem)  Reached QF at ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (l. to Berdych). He became first American to reach a clay court ATP Masters 1000 QF since Roddick at 2008 Madrid  In Grand Slam play (5-3 record), reached 3R at Australian Open (l. to Muller) and Wimbledon (l.to Cilic), fell in 2R at Roland Garros (l. to Seppi)

Johnson FastFacts: 2015 Highlights: QF(3): Auckland (l Anderson); Memphis (l Anderson); Delray Beach (l Karlovic) YTD W-L: 25-19 (17-9 on hard) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: December 24, 1989 Emirates ATP Ranking: 55 Washington W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-3 (SF 2015)

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 The 25-year-old American converted three of his five break points chances in his 76(5) 61 win over countryman to reach the semi-finals here for the first time. Upset No. 6 seed 63 16 63 to reach the quarter-finals here for the second year in a row. He opened with a 75 63 win over Lukas Lacko on Tuesday. Followed with a 67(7) 64 62 win over No. 11 seed on Wednesday. He is playing here for the fourth consecutive year. Also reached QF last year (d. Isner in 2R, d. Karlovic in 3R, l. to eventual champion Raonic) and has a 7-3 tournament record  Appearing in his 2nd career ATP World Tour SF (0-1 record). Lone SF appearance came at 2014 Delray Beach (l. to Anderson)  Reached QF at Auckland (l. to Anderson), Memphis (l. to Anderson) and Delray Beach (l. to eventual champion Karlovic). His 24 match wins is a career-high  In Grand Slam play (5-3 record), reached 3R for the first time in his career at Australian Open (l. to Nishikori) and Roland Garros (l. to eventual champion Wawrinka), fell in 2R at Wimbledon (l. to Dimitrov).  Best ATP Masters 1000 results was 3R at Indian Wells (d. Granollers in 1R, d. Karlovic in 2R, l. to Berdych). Just the second time in his career reaching the 3R at an ATP Masters 1000 event (also 2014 Cincinnati)

POTENTIAL FINAL HEAD-TO-HEADS

(8) John Isner (USA) vs (3) Marin Cilic (CRO) Cilic Leads 5-0 11 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R32 Marin Cilic 4-6 6-2 6-7(5) 7-6(2) 9-7 12 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay R32 Marin Cilic 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 13 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Marin Cilic 6-3 7-6(3) 14 Delray Beach (U.S.A.) Hard SF Marin Cilic 7-6(5) 6-3 15 Wimbledon (Great Britain) Grass R32 Marin Cilic 7-6(4) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-7(4) 12-10

(8) John Isner (USA) vs (2) Kei Nishikori (JPN) Isner Leads 1-0 15 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard QF John Isner 6-4 6-3

Steve Johnson (USA) vs (3) Marin Cilic (CRO) First Meeting

Steve Johnson (USA) vs (2) Kei Nishikori (JPN) Nishikori Leads 3-0 14 Halle (Germany) Grass QF Kei Nishikori 6-1 7-6(4) 15 Brisbane (Australia) Hard R16 Kei Nishikori 6-4 7-5 15 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R32 Kei Nishikori 6-7(7) 6-1 6-2 6-3