It took another three sets and and the inevitable tiebreak, but big American John Isner finally delivered on the promise he had shown 12 months ago, winning his first ATP singles title at the Heineken Open.

He took 2h 18m - the tournament's longest match and his fourth two-hour marathon of the week - to dispense with pesky French veteran Arnaud Clement 6-3 5-7 7-6(2) in a fascinating contest of styles.

But Isner's run to the Panasonic Singles crown probably began at the 2009 tournament, where he came through qualifying to eventually fall in the quarterfinals, developing a strong fan following with his never-say-die efforts.

"Last year, I played five really tough matches," he reflected on his arrival in Auckland last week. "If I can do that this year, I will have made it to the final."