Today’s match between American John Isner and France’s Nicolas Mahut was one for the ages. And it’s still not over.
Delayed for the second straight day due to darkness, this historic match will resume on Thursday after 10 hours of playing time — 7 hours, 6 minutes in the fifth set alone. This isn’t just a match, it is a triathlon. And neither player is willing to turn in yet and give up.
Epic it was. And this will never ever be matched again. Isnr and Mahut went back and forth for hours. Records were destroyed and others will not come close. The pair’s first round match has demolished the previous match time of 6 hours, 33 minutes set in a 2004 French Open match.
Isner, of Tampa, Fla., is currently the second ranked American behind Andy Roddick. He has shown tremendous fight as did Mahut. They each held serve for well over 60-plus games before the second delay due to darkness.
The number of aces in a match—annihilated with 192 combined (Isner-98, Mahut-94). Isner has served 761 times to Mahut’s 730. These numbers are hard to fathom. This match is gut-wrenching and one for the ages. This match will be replayed on ESPN Classic (in a condensed form of course) and will be talked about forever. In fact, this is one of those events that I will forever remember where I was when this match took place.
Isner said as he left the court. "Nothing like this will ever happen again. Ever."
For now, the match has been suspended. John Isner is not happy about it, he very much wanted to continue. But it has been stopped at 59-59 and it will resume tomorrow when surely we can find a winner…right? So, assuming that both Isner and Mahut can actually move tomorrow they will be back then to complete their match. Until then, somebody get them each a bed and an IV.