Isner Shocks Djokovic to Reach Indian Wells Final

World number 11 John Isner toppled world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) on Saturday to reach the final of the ATP Indian Wells Masters.

The 26-year-old American's first victory over a world number one ensures he will move into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time.

"Not many people can say they've ever beaten the No. 1 player in the world," Isner said. "I'll always be able to say that.

"I'm just going to keep on riding this wave I'm on and see how far it can take me."

Isner reached the first Masters final of his career, and will face world number three Roger Federer in Sunday's final.

For Djokovic, 24, it marked a second straight semi-final defeat after he fell at the same stage in Dubai to Andy Murray earlier this month.

Reigning Australian Open champ Djokovic is now 14-2 on the season.

"It's frustrating when somebody serves over 70 percent of the first serves in and with that angle and with that speed and accuracy," Djokovic said.

"But I played him before. I knew I had to stay patient and just wait for the chance. I had some chances. I didn't use them."

Isner closed the two hour, 45 minute match out with his 20th ace in front of a crowd of about 15,000.

Djokovic, who saved a match point in the 12th game of the third set to force the tiebreaker and saved two match points on his own serve in the final tiebreaker before Isner closed it out, finished with eight aces and two double faults.

"That's why I play this game, to be able to enjoy moments like that," Isner said.

"The stadium was packed, there wasn't an empty seat in the house, and everyone was on their feet. Cheering for me, too.

"It was very special when that last ball went by him and I knew I had won the match.

"It was a weird feeling, a very nice feeling. It's something that you don't experience every day. So I was just trying to take it all in."

Isner, who is also in the men's doubles final with partner Sam Querrey, fought off a break point with a 143 mph ace in the seventh game of the third set, then took the game and a 4-3 lead with a nice forehand to the open court that Djokovic couldn't reach.

Djokovic got the early break in the first set, jumping on Isner's serve in the third game of the match to go ahead 2-1.

Isner broke back in the 10th game and the players held serve over the next two games to set up the tie-break.

Isner clinched the set on the third set point after Djokovic had held him off twice previously. Isner hammered a 139mph ace to set up the second set point but then hit a backhand long on the next point. Djokovic hit a backhand into the net on the third set point to give Isner the set.

"You have to be patient and wait," Djokovic said. "I guess if it comes, it comes. If it doesn't then you can't do much except to congratulate, and that was the case today."

Djokovic broke Isner in the ninth game of the second set. He jumped out to a 0-40 lead on Isner's serve, before the American clawed his way back into it. Djokovic won the game on the fourth break point when Isner hit a forehand long.

That set the stage for Djokovic to serve for the set as he won four straight points, including a forehand winner to close out the set.

This marks the first time Isner has beaten Djokovic in three career meetings.

Djokovic now heads to Miami for his second Masters tournament in a row.

"I have no other choice but to recover in a week's time," Djokovic said. "I am disappointed that I lost today. Nobody likes to lose."