Isner on course for Atlanta Open hat-trick

Jul 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; John Isner in action during the second set against Ricardas Berankis (not pictured) during the quarterfinals of the BB&T Open at Atlantic Station. Mandatory Credit: Garrett Reid-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Big-serving John Isner stayed on track for his third consecutive Atlanta Open title when he outlasted fellow American Denis Kudla in a tight semi-final on Saturday.

Top seed Isner won a battle of attrition against the unseeded qualifier, converting his second match point to triumph 4-6 6-2 7-5 in one hour 43 minutes under a blazing afternoon sun on the outdoor hardcourt.