NEW YORK-----Former Georgia tennis star John Isner advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(1) win over Marsel Ilhan Thursday in New York. Isner will now face either the No. 5 seed Andy Roddick or Marc Gicquel  Saturday in the round of 32.

Isner downed the No. 28 seed Victor Hanescu, 6-1, 7-6(14), 7-6(5), in the first round on Tuesday.

"He's playing very well right now," said Georgia coach Manuel Diaz, who was on hand for Isner's opening round win on Tuesday. "He is on his way to being fully recovered. If John plays Andy Roddick next, it should be a good match. They respect each other a lot and they are good friends. I'm sure they'll both come out with guns a blazing."

The all-time winningest singles and doubles player in Georgia history is currently ranked at a career-high No. 55. He missed the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Isner and doubles partner Sam Querrey will play in the second round of the doubles draw Friday at 11:00 a.m.