Giant Isner humbled by HM's kindness

After losing a fifth-place play-off to Richard Gasquet 4-6 4-6 in the World Tennis Thailand Championship on Thursday, the American spent his free day sightseeing, with visits to the Hua Hin Artist Village and the dog shelter, run by a foundation under the King’s patronage. Over 1,000 Hua Hin strays have found sanctuary at the centre, which covers an area of 20 rai.

“What the King has done with that shelter, how he started it, is extremely noble. To get these dogs off the streets, clean them up, get them healthy and get them ready for adoption is awesome,” said Isner, whose affection for man’s best friend was obvious in the way he played with the rescued animals yesterday.

“I have a huge soft spot for dogs. I personally don’t have any pets as I travel too much. I’m more on the road than home. [But] when I’m done with tennis I’m definitely having three dogs,” said the American No 1.

Isner then made a quick stop at the Hua Hin’s Baan Sillapin (Artist Village), where works by renowned artists Chophol Donsakul and Tawee Kesa-ngarm take centre stage

“Arts is what I’m trying to learn a lot more about as I travel the world. This place is very cool. I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to come here,” Isner said.

 Meanwhile the resort town’s Centennial Park witnessed top seed and world No 7 Tomas Berdych rally from a second-set lapse to beat world No 10 David Ferrer of Spain 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 in a high quality semi-final on Thursday. The Hua Hin crowd was treated to a world-class display of baseline rallying as both players tested their form ahead of their 2015 campaigns.

“It was a very solid match. I always like to play against David. He’s a fighter. We always play high-level tennis. I had some game plans, a few things worked but some not. It’s good to try,” said the towering Berdych, who gave his all in the match despite it being just an exhibition.”

The world No 7 said his focus was on the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne later this month.  

“Even if it’s not an ATP tournament, I need to get prepared and my goal is to do well until Australia. This is a great preparation,” said Berdych who was to take on Milos Raonic in the final last night.

Ferrer also looked keen to test himself to the maximum, chasing down the ball incessantly from all corners of the court. Like Berdych, the Spaniard never appeared relaxed and went for the win as if it were an ATP final.

“I like competitions. This is good practise, to play against one of the best players in the world. Every match I play I take it like a competition match. This was a good warm up for [the Qatar Open in] Doha [next week]. I played the first set so well but then Tomas raised his game and I didn’t return his serves well,” said Ferrer, who took on Fabio Fognini in the third-place match last night after Fognini was outplayed by Raonic 6-3 6-3.