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Date: 23 Jun 2010 23:24

Ten Hour Match Steal Show at Wimbledon

Tennis World Magazine Tennis News Ten Hour Match Steal Show at Wimbledon There was plenty of drama on the third day of Wimbledon, but everything paled in comparison to the absolutely epic contest that unfolded on Court 18. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut resumed their match from yesterday at 0-0 in the fifth set, but seven hours later they were still on court with neither player giving an inch. Finally, the chair umpire suspended play with the contest deadlocked at 59-59 in the final set. The records tumbled by the dozens. Both players are nearing 100 aces – nearly double the previous record of 51, which was held by Ivo Karlovic. It is by far the longest match ever played, eclipsing the six hours and 33 minutes that Arnaud Clement and Fabrice Santoro spent on court in their legendary French Open match. The list goes on. “Nothing like this will ever happen again, ever," Isner said after play was suspended. "I don´t know what to say." They will conclude their match tomorrow no earlier than 15:30, with the second round match that the winner was supposed to play pushed back by a day. Almost forgotten amidst the excitement of the Isner-Mahut saga was Roger Federer, who again struggled against an inspired lower-ranked opponent in his second round match. Ilija Bozoljac qualified to secure a place in the main draw, and played much better than his ranking of 153. He served 31 aces and hit more than 100 winners in a 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 loss to the defending champion.