WASHINGTON -- Trailing in a tiebreaker against top-seeded John Isner, Steve Johnson managed to put a 146 mph serve into play and then decided to try something even more audacious: lob his 6-foot-10 opponent.Much to Johnsons surprise, the looping backhand worked, winning the point. Hanging in there against the big-serving Isner, Johnson weathered a total of 12 set points and withstood 29 aces to win their all-American quarterfinal at the Citi Open 7-6 (7), 7-6 (15) on Friday.Youre never too tall to lob. I thought he was going to close in really hard. And I just hit a good lob. I mean, thats about it, the fifth-seeded Johnson said about the point that came with Isner ahead 5-3 in the opening tiebreaker. I dont know if Ill ever try to lob him again and itll work, but luckily it worked today.Isners take?I love Stevie to death, he said, but I dont think that backhand lob he it -- I dont think he could do that all the time.Isner is a three-time runner-up at the hard-court tournament, including a year ago, when he beat Johnson in the semifinals. This time, Isner was unable to convert five set points in the opening frame and another seven in the second. When he lost the first tiebreaker on Johnsons forehand winner, Isner mangled his racket by slamming it to the court.The second tiebreaker was even longer and more excruciating for Isner. On his second set point, at 6-4, he got a good look at a short return by Johnson but shanked a forehand long.I dont think hell ever do that again, Johnson said. I dont know what happened.Heres how Isner explained it: I pulled up and got tentative.Not quite the longest tiebreaker of the season -- Isner lost one 18-16 last month -- it ended when he double-faulted for the only time in the nearly 2-hour contest to set up a sixth match point -- so lucky, Johnson said later -- then pushed a forehand wide.Johnson, ranked a career-best 25th, won despite never earning a break point against Isner. But Johnson saved all six break chances Isner accumulated and wound up with 22 aces himself.I certainly, in my opinion, put more pressure on him that he put on me, Isner said.Earlier Friday, sixth-seeded Jack Sock lost another two-tiebreaker match, beaten by 13th-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6).Karlovic hit 26 aces, saved all four break points he faced and reached the semifinals in Washington for the first time since 2007. Hell play Johnson on Saturday.Sock had a chance to force a third set against Karlovic, holding a set point at 6-5 in the second tiebreaker. But Karlovic erased that with -- what else? -- a 133 mph ace, then delivered a 130 mph service winner to get to match point. He won when Socks forehand clipped the net tape and flew wide.I feel like I scrap pretty well and get a lot of returns back and I still cant break the guy, Sock said. No matter who he plays -- any round, any tournament -- it comes down to a point here and there.The 37-year-old Karlovic, a 6-foot-11 Croatian, is coming off a title on grass at Newport, Rhode Island, last week.He is the oldest man to win an ATP singles tournament since 1979.Asked what its like to enter events where he could potentially face a teenager -- Zverev, for example, is 19 -- Karlovic replied: Yeah, I mean, I could be their daddy.After a brief pause, he added: And, I mean, who knows? Maybe I am.Then he cracked a big smile, rocked back in his chair and said, No, no, Im joking.The other semifinal will be second-seeded Gael Monfils against seventh-seeded Alexander Zverev. Monfils advanced by beating American Sam Querrey 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, while Zverev defeated No. 4 Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-3.Stitched NBA Jerseys . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. NBA Jerseys Outlet . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Nike NBA Jerseys China . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Fake NBA Jerseys . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick.Hailing Melbourne Citys signing of Tim Cahill as the biggest in the A-Leagues history, FFA boss David Gallop says theres still a good chunk of money left to help other clubs pursuing big names.Cahill has signed a two-year playing deal with City, though only the first year will be covered in part by the FFAs new guest player fund.Its the biggest player signing in the leagues history, its a red letter day for the code, trumpeted Gallop.For many Australians when you think football, you think Tim Cahill.Theres a recognition that Tim will bring an x factor to the whole league.Although the A-League has hosted overseas superstars including Alessandro Del Piero, David Villa and Robbie Fowler and fellow Socceroos stars Harry Kewell, John Aloisi and Brett Emerton, Gallop was adamant Cahill stood above all other signings.Hes a Socceroo. Hes the leading (Socceroos) goalscorer, Gallop said when asked why he rated Cahill first.He runs on to the field, his teammates lift. The opposition gets nervous about what he can do in front of the goal.You feel a buzz when Tim Cahill runs on to the field and we all recognise that and recognise that he will bring something really special to the A-League.Theres also hope for a Cahill efffect on the leagues next broadcasting deal, to be negotiated this season.dddddddddddd.Gallop expected Cahills participation in the A-League would be a significant factor but said he couldnt put a figure on how much extra the signing might be worth.Were in the early phases of our TV negotiations but all broadcast executives, all the networks recognise the name Tim Cahill and what he can bring to the league, Gallop said.Further big names could follow.Gallop confirmed the FFA had earmarked around one million dollars to fund the guest players provision.He said there was a possibility it could assist in more signings before the season started as talks were going on with a number of interested parties.Theres still a good chunk of it available to other clubs and other clubs are exploring the use of the provision, Gallop said.Without putting a precise figure on it, I think (the money spent on Cahill) is a significant investment by the game, the biggest investment that the league has ever made in a player.That is appropriate for Tim Cahill. Hes number one on our wish list and weve got him. ' ' '