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Date: 25 Jun 2010 10:19

Isner Wins Epic, Nadal Struggles

Tennis World Magazine Tennis News Isner Wins Epic, Nadal Struggles John Isner collapsed with joy and fatigue late Thursday afternoon as he hit the winning shot of the longest match in tennis history. After 11 hours and five minutes of deadlock, the American finally overcame Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68. “I wasn´t really thinking. I was just hitting a serve and trying to hit a forehand winner is the only thing I was doing,” an elated Isner said after the match. He emphasised that he and Mahut will forever share a special bond because of the history they made on Court 18. “I don´t think I´ve ever said five words to the guy prior to our match. Not that he´s a bad guy. It is what it is. Now when I do see him in the locker room at other tournaments, we´ll always be able to share that.” Lost in the drama of the Mahut-Isner saga, Rafael Nadal was pushed to the limit by Dutch journeyman Robin Haase. Nadal, who had declined to meet with the Queen earlier in the day because he wanted to focus on his match, looked out of sorts on Centre Court, and some inspired play from the Dutchman visibly rattled the former champion. However, after two and a half hours and with Haase clearly in pain from a foot injury, Nadal finally prevailed 5-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. “I´m very happy to win in five sets. Everybody prefers to win in three, but is not possible a lot of times, especially in this surface because all depends on a few points,” Nadal said afterwards. “Played probably four bad points in two sets and I lose both sets. That´s the tennis like this. But mentally I think I was perfect in the fourth and in the fifth.”