© Ron Angle
Towering American John Isner blew 22 aces past former World No. 2 Tommy Haas Thursday night to reach the quarterfinals of the SAP Open in San Jose with a 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 win. The Florida resident saved three consecutive match points at 3/6 in the second-set tie-break.

Haas hit a good serve on his third match point at 6/5 but Isner hit a deep return, which forced the German into error. In the third set, Isner served out the match with a flawless love game that included two aces.

Isner, who hit 15 aces in his straights-sets win over Florent Serra in the first round, is playing his second ATP event of the year, following a first-round loss at the Australian Open. He has reached his first ATP-level quarterfinal since his dramatic run to the Washington final last August, when he won five consecutive matches in a third-set tie-break and served a non-Grand Slam record 144 aces during the week.

Haas, who is nursing a shoulder injury, bravely fought off eight of 10 break points in the match despite serving well below top speed. The 29-year-old German made his 2008 debut last week in Delray Beach, where he suffered a first-round defeat.

James Blake saved all five break points he faced in a 6-3, 6-4 win over fellow American Jesse Levine 6-3, 6-4. In the quarterfinals Blake faces friend Robby Ginepri, whom he defeated last week in the Delray Beach final semifinals.

Top-seeded American Andy Roddick (pictured) ended Japan’s Kei Nishikori’s six match unbeaten run with a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Roddick hit seven aces and converted four of eight break points to secure his quarterfinal berth in one hour and three minutes.

World No. 6 Roddick is bidding for his third SAP Open title, having been victorious in 2004 (d. Fish) and 2005 (d. Saulnier). His tournament record now improves to 22-4. The 25-year-old now will contest his first ATP quarterfinal of the season against compatriot Mardy Fish.

The 18-year-old Nishikori claimed his first career ATP singles title last week in Delray Beach (d. Blake). The World No. 131 now slips to 0-1 against Top 10 players, and to 6-1 for the season.

Watch a live video stream from San Jose at B2 Networks.

ATP Tournament Profile | San Jose TV Schedule

Wednesday: Roddick Scrapes Through to Second Round
Tuesday: Blake Wins All-American Opener; Querrey Upset
Monday: Stepanek Wins in Debut; Four Americans Advance