World No.11 John Isner toppled world No.1 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.
Isner’s first victory over a world No.1 ensures he will move into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time.
“The only thing I can control is how I compete,” Isner said.
“I tried my hardest.”
America’s Isner reached the first Masters final of his career, and will face either world No.2 Rafael Nadal or world No.3 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 per cent 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.
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, finished with eight aces and two double faults.
Isner, who is also in the men’s doubles final with partner Sam Querrey, fought off a break point 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.
Rain held off until the end of the match, but the skies opened soon after to delay the start of the semi-final between Nadal and Federer.
Reigning French Open champ Nadal and 16-time grand slam winner Federer have met 27 times previously but never before on the hardcourts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Nadal has the edge over his Swiss foe having won 18 times, including four of the past five.
Both the men’s final and the women’s final, between Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, are scheduled for Sunday.