Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Longest. Match. Ever.

At 59-59, in their fifth set of the first round match at Wimbledon, Isner and Mahut have been at it for 10 hours over the past 2 days. Play has been suspended for a second day due to the fading sunlight. They have both beaten the previous record for most aces in a match, 78, with almost 100 each.

One of the many reasons I love tennis so much is the fact that a match is never over until the last point has been completed. This is the case even if a tie-breaker is played, since you have to win by two points. Even on match point, down 0-6, 0-6, 0-5, Love-40, the match is not over.

These guys are showing incredible (preternatural?) mental and physical fitness. I only hope that the ending is not anti-climactic. Whoever wins is lucky that the match is delayed once again, since he will have a little more recovery time before the following one. I can't imagine one's body performing well after such wear and tear.

In any case, you may watch practically any important sporting event on ESPN3.com these days. Play resumes tomorrow at some point. I can't watch anymore. Let me know how it ends.

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