Isner Ready to Fill American Void

John Isner celebrates a victory over No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

John Isner was no match for Roger Federer in the finals at the BNP Paribas Open.

But Isner's two weeks in Indian Wells were something special, and for the first time in a long time an America seems poised to challenge tennis' upper echelon.

Isner will become the second U.S. player in the ATP Tour's top 10 rankings, because of his finals appearance, and he became the first American to beat the world No. 1 player since 2008 in an electric three-set victory over Novak Djokovic.

"It was very special when that last ball went by (Djokovic) and I knew I had won the match. I knew it was a very weird feeling, a very nice feeling. It's something that, you know, you don't experience every day," Isner said after the semi-final match.

Can the U.S. Regain Tennis Prowess at Indian Wells?

American's Sam Querrey (sitting left) and Mardy Fish (sitting right)

rest during a practice session in Indian Wells.

Over the next two weeks, I have the privilege to help cover the 2012 BNP Paribas Open for Palm Desert Patch.com. I always have enjoyed watching the major tennis tournaments over the years, especially when my namesake, Pete Sampras was dominating. But watching the top players in the world in Indian Wells, Calif. brought my appreciation of the game to a whole new level. I hope to show how special the tournament is here on this blog.

One of the things evident by a quick glance at the ATP World Tour's top 10 is tennis has become a global game.

Eight countries are represented by those players, but there's only one American. Really since the aforementioned Sampras fell from the World No. 1 ranking, the U.S. has been largely irrelevant in men's tennis.

A new generation of U.S. player is hoping to break through the top four players strangle hold in the California desert.