Dudi Sela ready for battle

Dudi Sela ATP Atlanta Open

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Dudi Sela says he is excited about his chances of winning his first ATP Tour title when he faces John Isner in the final of the BB&T Atlanta Open on Sunday.

The Israeli has been in extremely good form this week in Georgia, beating Donald Young, Sam Querrey and Vasek Pospisil before dispatching Benjamin Becker 6-3 3-6 6-3 in Saturday’s semi-finals.

He will now meet defending champion Isner in the final and will need to be on top of his game against the tall American who has yet to hit his previous heights in 2014 but will be desperate to retain his crown.

Sela’s only previous ATP final was in Beijing in 2008 where he lost to Andy Roddick and he will be looking to make a fast start, with him currently priced at 3.17 to win the first set.

Isner won the pair’s most recent meeting earlier this year in Delray Beach, albeit thanks to a deciding set tie-break, and with this match also on a hardcourt, he will be looking to use his big serve to overpower the Israeli.

This means Sela will need to be at his energetic best but his stamina means that if he can return the American’s huge serve, he will have a chance to win due to his superior shotmaking skills.

The 29-year-old admits he is enjoying himself this week in Atlanta and says he is looking forward to what looks set to be an excellent match on Sunday.

“I feel great [being in the final]. The atmosphere is great here in Atlanta,” he said. “The crowd support was incredible.”

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