Busted Racquet - Tennis

Epic doesn't even begin to cover it.

After 10 hours, 163 games and almost 1,000 points, American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut were locked at 59-59 in the fifth set of their historic first-round match at Wimbledon when play was suspended for the second straight day due to darkness.

You read the score correctly: 59-59. When the Wimbledon final had a 16-14 final set last year, that seemed like a marathon. In comparison, this match was like running to the moon.

[PHOTOS: Isner and Mahut's exhausting battle]

The pair started play on Tuesday, splitting four sets before play was halted due to a lack of light. They resumed Wednesday afternoon and figured to be on the court for around an hour to finish their fifth set. Improbably and amazingly, the men were still on Court 18 as the sun set at the All England Club seven hours later. Isner could barely move. Mahut looked punch-drunk. Yet they soldiered on, playing in front of a stunned crowd and a worldwide audience which grew by the minute, as word of the match spread through the sports world. On a day where the World Cup figured to be the top story in sports, two unheralded players on a distant court at Wimbleon stole the show.

The tennis itself wasn't especially riveting for most of the play on Wednesday as big serves, the speedy grass court and fatigue made for quick rallies and short service games. There were very few break chances — Mahut only had one break point prior to the 147th game and Isner just had four break points of his own — but the drama and mind-boggling length of the set more than made up for it.

Consider: The longest previous set at Wimbledon lasted 46 games. Isner-Mahut didn't just shatter the record, they obliterated it.

Among the other remarkable statistics from the match:

— It's the longest match in tennis history: 10 hours. The previous record was 6 hours, 33 minutes.

— Longest set in tennis history: 118 games.

— Most games in tennis history: 163 (previous record was 112).

— Both players broke the ATP record for most aces in a match. Isner had 98, Mahut hit 95. The previous record was 78. Combined, the two had 193 aces, more than double the old record of 96.

— Mahut had just three break points during the entire match.

— The first four sets took 2 hours, 54 minutes. The fifth set is at 7 hours, 6 minutes and counting.

— Mahut won 448 points to Isner's 428. Isner had more winners: 333 to 318.

— The final set is longer than the previous longest match in tennis history. That was 6 hours, 33 minutes.

— Isner had four match points, one at 11-10, two others at 33-32 and another at 59-58. The first and last match points came nearly six hours apart.

— At 50-50, Mahut had two break points and Isner promptly served a 134 mph ace.

— With Mahut serving at 52-53, the pair exchanged a 16-shot rally which ended with a Mahut forehand winner. It was the longest rally of the match. On the next point, Mahut dove for a backhand at the baseline following another long rally.

— The players took their first bathroom break at 58-58. While walking in the tunnel, they exchanged pleasantries, the first time they had spoken all evening.

— Mahut only qualified for Wimbledon after winning a qualifying match in a 24-22 final set.

— The match is almost two hours longer than the longest Major League Baseball game in history (an 8:06 game between the White Sox and Brewers in 1984).

— The scoreboard stopped working at 47-47.

We'll never see the likes of this again.

The match is scheduled to be completed on Thursday afternoon. But Wimbledon organizers may want to keep a court open for Friday, just in case.

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767 Comments

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  1. y3ll0w
    1. Posted by y3ll0w Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:28 pm EDT

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    I didnt even know that people could play Tennis for that long. Wow!!
  2. William D
    2. Posted by William D Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:28 pm EDT

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    Wow
  3. Rob
    3. Posted by Rob Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:28 pm EDT

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    Wow
  4. Stefan
    4. Posted by Stefan Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:29 pm EDT

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    Tennis wins!
    Whoever ends up winning this match, both players are true champions and this match will never ever be forgotten!!
    Btw, French football team, take a good look at Mahut. This is what fight, determination, pride and heart look like.
  5. iowabuckmaster
    5. Posted by iowabuckmaster Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    wow!
  6. glee
    6. Posted by glee Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    This is such a great sports story. Can't wait until tomorrow.
  7. Tommy
    7. Posted by Tommy Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    i give them so much credit. Their bodies are gonna ache the next few weeks haha
  8. Brian
    8. Posted by Brian Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    Wow.
  9. danilos
    9. Posted by danilos Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    Wow..
  10. Erick Fjellgren
    10. Posted by Erick Fjellgren Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:30 pm EDT

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    OMG! What are these men on?
  11. Jim
    11. Posted by Jim Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:31 pm EDT

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    Flip a coin!
  12. Michael
    12. Posted by Michael Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:31 pm EDT

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    Ho-lee Cow.
  13. Kurt
    13. Posted by Kurt Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:31 pm EDT

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    Probably both players suck equally that there was no end to the match. Who cares about tennis when the world cup is going on? USA is in GO USA SOCCER TEAM GO
  14. halolady
    14. Posted by halolady Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:32 pm EDT

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    No one should have to lose a match like this!
  15. Tear Drop
    15. Posted by Tear Drop Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:32 pm EDT

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    boring
  16. Mike R
    16. Posted by Mike R Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:32 pm EDT

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    that is so awesome, keep on playing!
  17. DavidM
    17. Posted by DavidM Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:32 pm EDT

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    I remember Roddick's 80 plus game in 2003. Thought at the time, it would be a record never broken. Wow, was I ever wrong. Keep going guys.
  18. Matty1228
    18. Posted by Matty1228 Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:32 pm EDT

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    This is never goin to happen again so we as Americans should relish June 23, 2010 in history.
  19. dan b
    19. Posted by dan b Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:33 pm EDT

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    That is pretty darn amazing
  20. Robert C
    20. Posted by Robert C Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:33 pm EDT

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    When I switched from the paint-drying channel to this match, I got really bored!
  21. I love new york
    21. Posted by I love new york Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:33 pm EDT

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    They would make GREAT practice partners =P, two players of such equal talent.
    Now it will be a game of attrition, to see who can have the most endurance to tough it out.
    Btw THANKS YAHOO, you finally got a good article!
  22. Hochmut
    22. Posted by Hochmut Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:33 pm EDT

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    See, someone will eventually end the tie score, not like the Pool rounds of FIFA World matches which are so boring and a tie is no outcome at all. Tennis is the bomb!
  23. Michael
    23. Posted by Michael Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:34 pm EDT

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    Amazing: http://jumpinginpools.blogspot. com/2010/06/isner-mahut-in-longest-tennis-match-in.html
  24. blckstang1983
    24. Posted by blckstang1983 Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:34 pm EDT

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    What 10hours of play! That takes tired to a new level!

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