Isner has great time despite defeat to Federer

NEW YORK, Sep 2 (Reuters) John Isner lost in the third round of the US Open to Roger Federer but the 22-year-old American wildcard could not remember having a better time.

''It was amazing,'' the towering, big-serving Isner said after falling to top-seeded, three-times defending champion Federer 6-7 6-2 6-4 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, yesterday.

''That was by far the most fun I've had playing a tennis match. Especially after winning the first set. The feeling of beating Roger Federer in a set, sitting down it was crazy.'' Isner tried to take it all in as the partisan crowd roared in support of the ATP Tour rookie. He said he thought he had a chance for an upset but was realistic about his prospects.

''I knew he was going step his game up. That's what he does every time he loses a set,'' Isner told reporters. ''He rarely loses two in a row.

''So I knew I had to somehow keep it up for two more sets and unfortunately I couldn't do it. Credit to him. He picked his game up.'' Isner has heard raucous cheers before, recalling how loud his University of Georgia team was supported when they won the U.S. college championship on their home campus in the spring.

INSTANT HIT ''When we won the NCAAs in Athens they were screaming during the points, really intoxicated out there in the crowd. Going insane. There was about 5,000 (fans) really packed in. That was a lot of fun. This probably tops that.'' Isner, who registered a 140 mph serve against Federer, has been an instant hit on tour, reaching the final this summer in Washington where he won five matches -- all in final set tiebreaks -- before falling to Andy Roddick in the final.

Isner said playing Federer was a learning experience.

''I take away a great deal from this match,'' he said. ''Just to think that four months ago I was unranked, to go from that to beating Roger Federer in a set, it's pretty cool.'' Isner said Federer was most impressive across the net.

''You watch him and it's pretty amazing on TV, and it's even more amazing out there playing against him.

''Such great command of the ball. Knows what he's doing every point. When he makes a first serve, the thing hits the line 90 per cent of the time it seems like. You're just off balance pretty much all the time against him.'' Federer said he thought Isner had a good future.

''I think he's always going to be tough to beat because of that serve,'' the world number one said. ''That serve is not going to go away any time soon.'' Reuters BJR VP0617