Posted on 06/23/2010 1:20:30 PM PDT by Justaham
Wimbledon match locked in an epic fifth-set battle is shattering records.
The first-round contest between American John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut has surpassed nine hours, with the final set itself approaching six hours. At 12:50 PDT, the set stood at 57-57.
The longest match in Open-era tennis, it began Tuesday night and was suspended after four sets because of darkness. Wimbledon has no fifth-set tiebreakers.
"Let it end, let it end," moaned Guardian tennis blogger Xan Brooks in blow-by-blow coverage. "It was funny when it was 16-all and it was creepy when it was 26-all. ... Will nobody run onto the court and steal their rackets? Are they all too scared of the zombies' clutching claws and gore-stained teeth?"
The previous record was 6 hours and 33 minutes, set by Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement at the French Open in 2004.
The winner will play the Netherlands' Thiemo de Bakker, who didn't advance easily himself: His final set this afternoon against Santiago Giraldo went to 16-14.
Before this match, Isner, 25, was perhaps most notable for his height: 6-foot-9. He holds the No. 19 ranking in men's singles; at Wimbledon, he is seeded 24th.
He was scheduled to play doubles today. That match was canceled.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Kind of like soccer, its best to read about it once its over.
Does this mean that they’re both equally awful?
Called for darkness at 59-59
Most incredible thing I have ever seen in sports. As a former player I can’t even imagine trying to stay focused that long. Amazing.
You are living through history at this very moment. Pause and reflect, this is a moment you will tell you children about. /s
Will either player be a contender after finishing this match?
5 sets is agony. I cannot even imagine this.
Like World Cup Soccer, or most kids’ sports, why don’t they just call it a tie and give everyone a trophy?
I personally think there’s some kind of subtle collusion going on. No, I don’t think they planned this in advance, but these are a couple of nobodies who are suddenly thrust on the sports world’s consciousness and everyone is talking about them. That being the case, I expect neither one is trying all THAT hard to break the other’s serve.
No. But this will be the match that is remembered for years to come.
I personally think there’s some kind of subtle collusion going on. No, I don’t think they planned this in advance, but these are a couple of nobodies who are suddenly thrust on the sports world’s consciousness and everyone is talking about them. That being the case, I expect neither one is trying all THAT hard to break the other’s serve.
You are living through history at this very moment. Pause and reflect, this is a moment you will tell you children about. /s
Since I am not watching it, I doubt I will be telling anyone about it. Now if this were football or baseball you might have a point. Tennis, just isn’t going to work.
So THAT is where Al went these days...Wimbeldon!
Feel free to keep him....
The hint is in the name....World Cup. Cup as in only one.
I admire that both of them are still battling. It’s much better than can be said for soccer, where teams are content with a tie.
His opponent, Nicolas Mahut, is a Frenchman. As we know, the French have an aversion to soap.
The smell must be incredible
Posted by someone who calls themselves 'stinker'. I'm grinning ...
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