Saving Our Stripes, John Isner Is Looking To Revamp American Tennis

In 2003, when Andy Roddick lifted the US Open trophy, American tennis had seemingly found its newest star.

At that time, Andy was 20. Now, 26, that trophy remains his only one. At that time, America was finally done rejoicing a great period of tennis.

First, with John McEnroe (7 grand slam singles titles, 10 grand slam doubles titles), then Michael Chang, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

Andy Roddick never was able to fulfill his promise, nor will he be ever mentioned as a more than one- title wonder.

James Blake wasn't able to become a great player. He was solid throughout he career but has never been closer to a Grand Slam title than a quarterfinal appearance. Earlier this year, Sam Querrey was expected to have a major breakthrough. That won't happen.

At Legg Mason, 2007 a new player burst onto the scene and he is the answer to American Tennis.

At 6'9'' 245 LBS. John Isner looks more like a basketball or football player, but his height and agility mix makes a great tennis player.

Like another player I wrote about, Ivo Karvolic, Isner has a thundering serve and is nearly un-lobbable. But, unlike the Croat, Isner has solid ground strokes and is not clumsy at the net.

Isner also has tremendous work ethic and a huge heart. This was proved to me by a game I recently attended. At Legg Mason in Washington DC in 2009, Isner was facing Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic.

After winning the first set, Isner fell apart, and dropped the next set, 7-6. It seemed as if Berdych would pull away, but John stormed back and won the match.

The next day, he battled 4-time champ Andy Roddick. He took Roddick to three tough sets, only to lose. After playing in New Haven, he headed to the US Open, but was not really expected to play very well.

He was facing 28th-seeded Victor Hanescu. Despite a tough match, he prevailed, 6-1, 7-6, 7-6. The second set tiebreak went 30 points, but Isner's ethic and determination led him to a 16-14 win. In the second round, he caught a break against Marsel Ilhan, whom he defeated in three quick sets.

In the third round, Isner was in trouble, he was facing Roddick once again. Roddick came in hot, as a favorite to break Roger Federer's 5 straight US Open victories. Isner won the first two sets, only for Andy to roar back and take the next two. In a spectacular finish, Isner won in a fifth set tie-break. He hit 38 aces.

The only American to make more of a surprise was teenage sensation Melanie Oudin. She will not only be the tennis savior in America, but also in the whole WTA.

But, back to Isner he is the man to make the biggest noise at the US Open, trying to jumpstart a career that began in 2007.

He had been from unknown to final in one of the top 15 most prestigious tournaments. He had stunned the world by making the final at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C.

Even though he lost to Andy (again), he was beginning a career which is hopefully only the beginning of a joyful ride.