Fun facts about the Isner/Mahut marathon

[MrCoffee]

Isner is ranked 23rd in the world; Mahut is ranked 148th and is at Wimbledon as a qualifier

The fifth set alone is already half an hour longer than the longest match ever

The fifth set alone has seen more games (118) than the previous Wimbledon record-holding match (112)

Both players destroyed the previous record for aces in a match; Inser has 98, Mahut has 95

The scoreboard on Court 18 stalled out at 47-47

The eventual winner will go on to play Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands, the loser will receive a check in the amount of 11,250 pounds.

[joeybee12]

1. Right now, they're playing to say they won the longest match ever...

you gotta figure neither will be up to win another match.

[MrCoffee]

2. I'd take the 11 grand and check into a full service resort for as long as possible

I wouldn't want to move a muscle after that. Check that, I literally couldn't move a muscle after that.

[joeybee12]

3. 11 grand is about $16K...you can hire someone to carry you...n/t

[hughee99]

7. If this match keeps going on like this

it may not even average out to minimum wage.

[El Supremo]

4. Golly! Another sport that doesn't end in a tie! n/m

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

5. duration of the 5th set

The 5th set, which began today and will conclude tomorrow and is already 6h 58' old, is longer than the previous longest match (6h 33'), which was completed over the course of two days.

Until 50-50, Mahut hadn't seen a break point since the 2nd set.

[JonLP24]

6. Amazing!

I wish I saw it! Basic TV station nightly news highlights of the match don't do it any justice. They show 1 ace then the last one and say the game was canceled due to darkness.

However this article is great! Thanks Muriel. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live

[Awsi Dooger]

8. Most unbreakable record in sports history

To the point any other nomination is laughable. This is further beyond logical barriers than anything I've ever witnessed in sports.

I watched from 28-all and the caliber of play was tremendous -- half volleys, clutch serving, very few unforced errors, clean forehand winners from increasingly fatigued and flat footed Isner, and constant hustle from Mahut.

I was astonished there was never a period that either of them seemed determined for a result of any type, and merely lashed at the ball in desperation for a few cheap points. Hell, Serena is known to do that when it's 1-4 in the second set.

I'll be interested in the betting line on the next match. It will be severely shaded against whomever wins, but that won't prevent the public and the sharps from taking the other side.

[T_i_B]

9. Further beyond physical boundaries as well.

Can you imagine what it takes to play tennis for that long?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Long matches seem to cluster around this

The winner goes on to play Thiemo De Bakker in the 2nd round; he won his 1st round 16-14 in the final set yesterday. Mahut qualified for Wimbledon proper by beating the British Alex Bogdanovich 24-22 in the final set of their (3 set) qualifier.

[malaise]

11. Great stuff

This is hilarious.

[AndreaCG]

12. One more fun fact

IIRC Mahut had to play a qualifying match that went 24-22 in the last set! Isner probably thought he had a walk in the park after hearing that.

Sorry, didn't read the above post.. I'd delete but don't see a button to do so.

[joeybee12]

13. Another fun fact...the winner gets to play a guy who won his match, 16-14 in the fifth...n/t