Atlanta specialist Isner can ease past Lacko

ATP Atlanta
Eurosport 2, 5pm Friday

WTA Bastad
BT Sport 2, 9am Friday

Lukas Lacko recorded a major upset by knocking out sixth seed and Atlanta native Donald Young 6-3 6-1 on Wednesday.

However, that achievement would pale if he were to repeat the performance against three-time Atlanta Open champion John Isner in the quarter-finals.

Isner, who has also been runner-up in the tournament three times, eased past Vasek Pospisil 6-3 6-4 to reach the last eight, losing just four points on his own serve.

Second seed Isner has won both meetings between the pair and is understandably a short-priced favourite.

The best way to support the towering American looks to be on the games handicap, where he is asked to concede a realistic 3.5-games start to Slovakian Lacko.

In the same half of the draw, third seed Gilles Muller is a similarly strong favourite to defeat Tommy Paul, but it could be worth betting the youngster can make a fight of it.

Former highly-ranked junior Paul has risen more than 100 places in the rankings this month and showed strong battling qualities to see off Malek Jaziri in the last round despite trailing 3-1 in the final set.

The qualifier has recorded four three-set victories to reach the quarter-finals and he could give a fright to Muller, who dropped a set to world number 134 Quentin Halys in the last round.

Recommendations
J Isner -3.5 games
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Paddy Power
G Muller to win 2-1
1pt 3-1 general