Sam Querrey: Last American Standing in Indian Wells

Sam Querrey is last the American remaining in either the men's or women's singles draw at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Querrey held off a strong challenge from Marinko Matosevic of Australia 7-6 (5), 6-7 (7), 7-5 to advance to the fourth round.

"I didn't feel I played unbelievable, but I just stuck around, stuck around, got a break at 5-all, and then closed it out with some good serves," Querrey said after the match.

With the win, Querrey will move into the top 20 of the ATP World Tour rankings becoming the top ranked American. The U.S. men were in danger of not having a player ranked in the top-20 for the first time ever.

"It means a lot. It's a great feeling," Querrey said. "I feel like I have worked hard to earn it. Everyone seems like they've got their shot with Andy [Roddick] and Mardy [Fish] and James [Blake] and John [Isner], and so I feel like it's my turn now."

If Querrey wants to keep playing at Indian Wells, he will have to get past world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is 15-0 this season. A silver lining for the American, Querrey defeated Djokovic the last they played at the Paris Indoors.

It's been a lackluster tournament for U.S. tennis outside of Querrey's great play. Top 20 stars John Isner and Sloane Stephens were both upset in their first matches.

"[I'm] just struggling. I mean, three losses in a row," Stephens said after her second round loss. "I'm going to be No. 18 in the world now. Really doesn't matter. There's always next week."

The few bright spots have been short lived. Mardy Fish notched a win in his first match since being sidelined with a heart condition last September, and on the women's side Mallory Burdette and Jamie Hampton both advanced to the third round.

"I feel a little bit more, you know, like I belong here," Burdette said after falling to Maria Kirilenko. "It's always something I think that you question sometimes when you're surrounded by such great players."

If Querrey cannot make it past Djokovic, fans might still get to see an American glory in men's doubles. The Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, advanced to the semifinals and Mardy Fish and James Blake are still in the draw.