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Maybe it was when John Isner started his pro tennis career by winning two of the first four tournaments he played.

Maybe it was Tuesday night, when Isner, playing in his second ATP tournament, the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, knocked off Tim Henman, the No. 74-ranked player in the world.

Or maybe it was when someone created an entry for Isner on Wikipedia.

Take your pick.

It's clear that Isner, the former Page standout, has gotten his pro career off to a great start. In the short time since he finished at the University of Georgia, the 6-foot-9 power server has raised his world ranking from No. 839 all the way to No. 416.

He'll likely continue his climb after knocking off two Legg Mason foes.

"It's all about confidence in pro tennis," Isner said Wednesday afternoon, before his second-round victory over No. 8 seed Benjamin Becker. "That's what I have right now."

Isner said he has so much confidence because his transition from college to the pro ranks has gone so smoothly. In his first tournament, a USA Futures tournament -- the pro tennis equivalent of NASCAR's Busch series -- Isner knocked off the top three seeds on his way to the title. In his fourth tournament, the Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington, Ky., Isner beat three players in the top 300 and one in the top 200 to claim another championship.

"That was a huge step for me," Isner said. "I tell myself, 'I can beat players in the top 200, why can't I beat guys in the top 100?' "

Why not, indeed.

Isner answered that question emphatically when he upset Henman, a former top-10 player in the world. He got the win -- 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) -- because his confidence was high and his serve has never been harder. In the decisive tiebreaker, Isner won all five of his service points, pounding out four aces and one winner.

One serve was clocked at 141 mph.

"I was pretty amped up in that tiebreaker," Isner said.

And unlike a lot of rookies on the pro tour, he wasn't overwhelmed by the moment. Perhaps after playing in front of thousands in key matches at Georgia, playing in front of a big crowd at center court at the Legg Mason tournament didn't seem like such a shock.

"The place was pretty much packed," Isner said of Tuesday night's singles match. "It was an awesome, awesome experience."

It could lead to even more awesome experiences. Because of his strong play, Isner has caught the eye of the U.S. Tennis Association, which has given him the free use of a coach, former Chilean pro Ricardo Acuna.

It's a sign, Isner said, that the USTA sees him as a player on the rise, with talent worthy of being groomed.

It also could be a sign that the USTA, when it is contemplating which wild-card invitations to issue for the U.S. Open, might have Isner on its list for the tournament Aug. 27-Sept. 9 in New York.

"It looks really, really good that I'll get straight into the main draw, given my results these last few weeks," he said.

That's still more than three weeks away.

Until then, Isner will keep moving from tournament to tournament, looking for more ranking points and a little more recognition.

"It's tough being on the road, but I'm making a little money," he said. "It's better than a regular job."

Contact Jim Young at 373-7016 or jyoung@news-record.com