TENNIS in DEPTH.

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut tore up the record books at Wimbledon as their epic first-round contest became the longest in tennis history.

The match was locked at 59-59 in the final set after 10 hours of play when it was suspended because of bad light.

The match just went on and on and on, with no end in sight. Isner managed to find enough energy to serve, but not much else, however the serve was all he really needed.

The time of the match has demolished the previous record – a six-hour and 33-minute clash between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement at the 2004 French Open.

It has also seen both men beat the previous record for most aces in a match by one player.

Ivo Karlovic’s tally of 78 had been set during a Davis Cup tie last year, but Isner currently holds the new record with 98.

The serve-dominated contest was initially halted by fading light on Tuesday evening with the score at two sets all – 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) 6-7 (3/7) – Isner having won the fourth-set tie-break to keep the match alive.

However, that was only the start of things for the final set would last longer itself than the previous longest match ever.

With no breaks of serve since the second set, the pattern of serve domination continued.

They will return tomorrow for a third try to finish their match.

Bookmark It