John Isner of the U.S. and Nicolas Mahut of France are playing a marathon tennis match at Wimbledon. Isner leads Mahut 41 games to 40 in the fifth set. It’s the longest match in tennis history. Records have already been set for the longest set and match ever in number of games and length of time. Also most aces combined.
Isner, the 23rd seed, leads the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 41-40. Watch it on ESPN2 to see history being made.
I once played a long set in a match that would determine who got the final singles spot on the high school tennis team. The loser would play number one doubles. You had to play an 8-game pro-set, so the first to 8 games would win, but you had to win by two games. So I ended up losing, 17-15. It was my worst loss ever, absolutely devastating, because I felt sure I was going to play singles. My mistake was going for a water break up 15-14. I lost some momentum then. But I ended up going 12-3 in doubles. In singles I probably would’ve been closer to .500.
When will it end? I have to go now, but I’ll guess that it’ll be something like 48-46. Unbelievable and awesome. What a great sports day with the earlier drama of the U.S. beating Algeria in soccer in the final minute to advance in the World Cup.
Tags: history, John Isner, longest match ever, most aces, Nicolas Mahut, Wimbledon
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