Americans Isner, Harrison advance at Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Americans John Isner and Ryan Harrison will face off in the semifinals at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

Isner, the top seed and defending champion, beat South Africa's Izak Van Der Merwe 6-4, 7-6 (2). Sixth-seeded Harrison was ahead 6-4, 3-0 when Germany's Benjamin Becker retired with an injury.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and 2009 Newport champion Rajeev Ram will meet in the other semifinal.

Isner is looking to become the first consecutive champion on Newport's grass courts since Greg Rusedski in 2004-05.

Isner and Harrison will meet on center court Saturday following induction ceremonies. Jennifer Capriati and Gustavo Kuerten headline the 2012 class.

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