Isner wins first match of 2019, Fognini bundled out in Buenos Aires

John Isner ended his winless start to the year at the New York Open, while Fabio Fognini was a casualty at the Argentina Open.

Isner was 0-2 in 2019 following defeats at the Auckland Open and Australian Open last month but the big-serving American celebrated victory in New York on Wednesday.

The top seed at the ATP 250 tournament, Isner defeated Bernard Tomic 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 en route to the quarter-finals midweek.

"I had a long time to stew over again not doing well Down Under. It was very tough... I certainly wasn't feeling too great about my game after that," said Isner, who hit 33 aces in the one hour, 14-minute win.

"But the only thing you can do is just continue to keep working hard. For me, keep working on my body. And I used that time to really get stronger. You have to look at it as a blessing in disguise. It really just gave me a bunch of time to keep working hard in the gym, but most importantly just enjoying time with my family."

It was tight, but @JohnIsner ?? grabs the first set 7-6(7) against B. Tomic. #NYOpen19 #BackInBlack pic.twitter.com/TuT7MBUWpP

— New York Open (@NewYorkOpen) February 14, 2019

Next up for Isner in the last eight is another Australian – seventh seed Jordan Thompson, who beat Christopher Eubanks 4-6 6-1 6-4.

American third seed Steve Johnson was stunned 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-4) by qualifier Brayden Schnur, Paolo Lorenzi ousted Ryan Harrison 4-6 6-4 6-4, Croatian veteran Ivo Karlovic lost out to Radu Albot 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) in the round of 32 and Denis Istomin topped Mackenzie McDonald 4-6 6-2 6-3.

At the Argentina Open, second seed Fognini crashed to a 4-6 6-4 7-5 loss against Jaume Munar in Buenos Aires.

"I'll be surprised if you see a better shot all week" the @ArgentinaOpen live on @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/i95LhLPnGl

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) February 14, 2019

Countryman and third seed Marco Cecchinato saw off Christian Garin 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, while Roberto Carballes Baena and Guido Pella were also victorious in the last 16.