wimbledon witnessed history in the making this week as two racket bearing giants took to court 18 on tuesday in a match that would spill over into wednesday and possible thursday to break all known records - a testament to the true fitness and gusto of the players.
John Isner (USA) had to fend off a break point challenge in game 101 (yes that's right) during the 5th set but managed to claw back the advantage. with neither player backing down in sweltering heat and what must have been exhaustion it looked like there would never be a clear winner.
Frenchmen Nicholas Mahut fought valiantly against Isner, although causing himself some grief in the 107th game when dropping the first 30 points on his own service, not deterred however he dug in and pulled level.
this was a game that should have been rather ordinary but instead verged on extraordinary! it's impossible to imagine what kept these two tennis titans going - the crowd? the buzz? the bananas?? but it certainly seemed to surpass the abilities and will power of us mere mortals!
in a game stacked with aces - 98 for the Yankee and 95 for Mahut it was hard to back a winner! both kept pushing until Mahut appealed to the umpire due to light, Isner clearly not wanting to leave the court looked more than a little put out. so after 117 games and 10 hours of total game time the crowds reluctantly filtered out, in no doubt that they'd been part of something amazing, and they'd certainly had their monies worth.
setting records for the longest set and match ever played and most ace's served both men can be proud of their performances
two note worthy quotes:-
"he's a big man but he's got soft hands" commentator in relation to Isners back hand
"I came earlier, in the French area" John McEnro about watching the 5th set from the start.
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