MANILA, Philippines – Rafael Nadal continued his outstanding hardcourt form, beating John Isner in the final of the Western and Southern Open on Sunday. Unbeaten on the surface in 15 matches this year and coming off a win in Montreal, Nadal won back-to-back hardcourt finals on consecutive weeks for the first time in his career. The third-ranked Nadal, who will move up to No. 2 on Monday, needed nearly two hours on a Muggy Center Court to tame Isner, who had knocked off three top 10 players to earn his spot in the final. With the win, Nadal is the red-hot favorite heading into the US Open. -- Mornings @ ANC, ANC, August 19, 2013
