Isner helping carry future of U.S. tennis

The future of American men's tennis looks a bit brighter today, thanks to some good old-fashioned Yankee determination and spirit on the part of John Isner.

The 6-foot-9-inch former University of Georgia All-American is considered the future of the sport in the United States, along with Sam Querrey and Donald Young. But Isner grew up a little Tuesday with his gutty, come-from-behind 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Alejandro Falla of Colombia in the opening round of the Tennis Channel Open.

"This is just what the doctor ordered," said Isner, 22. "I've had a couple of tough first-round losses lately, and my confidence hasn't been what it should be."

He'll face Kevin Anderson in the second round Thursday, and Isner said he expects to play better than he did Tuesday.

"I always play better the second or third round," he said. "My problem lately has been getting to the second or third round."

Isner's success on Stadium Court at the Darling Tennis Center was more about grit than skill. He overcame 35 unforced errors and some poor execution at times to defeat Falla, a last-minute entrant when Steve Darcis decided not to play in Las Vegas after winning the title last week in Memphis, Tenn.

"I was trying to be aggressive, because I didn't want to let him dictate play," Isner said. "I made a lot of mistakes early on. But I knew I had to stay with the game plan."

His aggressiveness paid off in the third set. Isner was up a break at 3-1 when he found himself with two break-point opportunities. But he couldn't get the job done, and Falla stayed alive at 3-2.

In the next game, Falla held two break points, Isner rallied back to deuce, then gave Falla a third break point. But Isner managed one of his few good backhand returns of the day, clipping the line to stave off the break, and he cracked a 148 mph ace to hold and go up, 4-2.

Isner finished with 14 aces, helping offset the unforced errors.

"That was the key," Isner said of the third-set hold. "I had wasted that chance at 3-1, and then he had me down. When I was able to come back, that changed everything."

Isner knows expectations are high each time he steps onto the court. His fleeting moment in the third round of last year's U.S. Open, when he took the first set from top-seeded Roger Federer, had American tennis fans hopeful that perhaps a new hero had been born. Never mind Isner was a few months out of college and the pro game was a whole new situation for him.

"I remember playing in a Futures event in Shingle Springs (Calif.) last summer and winning that," Isner said. "But it's such a different game than college. There's so many great players out on the (ATP) Tour. The biggest difference is how mentally tough the pros are. They don't give anything away."

Isner showed some of that same determination Tuesday. He said he's learning that tennis at this level is as much mental as it is physical. Having a booming serve only gets you so far.

"I've been working on trying to get stronger and to improve my footwork," Isner said. "I've got a lot to learn. But I believe I can compete out here with these guys."

He doesn't worry about the lofty expectations American fans and the media are placing on him, Querrey and Young to fill the void when Andy Roddick and James Blake, the current reigning American stars, wrap up their careers.

"It comes with the territory," Isner said. "I can understand it. We're a bit younger than Andy and James, so it's natural for people to think we're the next big thing. But I don't let it bother me. I don't feel I'm letting anyone down if I don't win.

"I try my best every time I go out there. Any pressure that's on me is what I put on myself."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.