Isner repeats as Hall of Fame champion

NEWPORT, R.I., July 15 (UPI) -- Top-seeded John Isner successfully defended his title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships Sunday, besting wild card Lleyton Hewitt.

Isner, who defeated Belgian Olivier Rochus in last year's Newport finale, this time handled Hewitt by a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 margin in the decisive match.

The 6-foot-9 American fired off 16 aces to become the first repeat champion at the Hall of Event since France's Fabrice Santoro in 2008.

Australia's Hewitt, a former world No. 1, came up short in his bid for a 29th career title.