In Brief | Nation and World April 15

Isner wins US Men’s
Clay Court Championship

HOUSTON — John Isner of the United States beat Argentina’s Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on Sunday.

Isner won his first tournament of the year and the sixth of his career. He had seven aces in the match, giving him a record 64 for the tournament.

He broke the record of 60 set by Pete Sampras in 2002. Almagro leads the ATP Tour with 266 aces. He had five against Isner.

Isner had aces of 144 and 142 mph in the 10th game to hold serve.

Robredo beats Anderson
to win in Casablanca

CASABLANCA, Morocco — Tommy Robredo won the Grand Prix Hassan II by beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3 in the final Sunday for his 11th career title.

In their first meeting, the Spaniard saved four break points in the third set and broke Anderson for the second time in the match to clinch his first title since winning on outdoor clay in February 2011. Ten of his titles and 15 of his 18 career finals have been on the surface.

Robredo’s ranking has slipped to 72nd after peaking at No. 5 in August 2006 following his five-month absence last year because of a leg injury.

Blue Time team takes
World Sailfish championship

KEY WEST, Fla. — Anglers aboard Blue Time caught and released 14 sailfish Sunday to stage a come-from-behind victory and win nearly $185,000 at the World Sailfish Championship in the Florida Keys.

Skippered by Captain Bill Wieteha, the Miami-based team ended the tournament’s first fishing day last Thursday without a single release. The next day, owners Benjamin and Lisa Leon and teammates Israel Ivanez, A.J. Sepe, Ray Rosher, Mike Lawson and Jared Spitz logged only three sailfish.

Saturday was a lay day, and at the beginning of Sunday’s final fishing day, Blue Time wasn’t even among the top 10 spots in the 34-boat fleet.

By wire sources