9:36AM
Newsday (N.Y.): Isner wins Wimbledon rematch with Mahut
9:36 AM
By Art Spander
Special to Newsday
WIMBLEDON, England -- This time, it was just a tennis match, not a marathon. Wimbledon won't be putting up a plaque for John Isner-Nicolas Mahut II as was the case for their historic and extended meeting last year, and Isner, for one, is pleased.
The 6-9 Isner needed only 2 hours, 3 minutes to beat Mahut, a Frenchman, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6), Tuesday. Or 9 hours, 2 minutes earlier than in 2010.
That match started on Tuesday and finished Thursday, Isner taking the fifth set, 70-68. A plaque on the wall of Court 18 notes the time and games.
The sequel was played on the newly remodeled Court 3, after three other matches, and started around 6:30 p.m. There are no lights on the outside courts at Wimbledon.
"Chances are if I don't win the third set," Isner said, "we're not going to finish the match and we're talking about a second day."
When an announcer from the BBC asked if that would have brought back good memories, Isner said: "I don't think good memories, long memories. I'm glad they put us on Court 3. I don't think they want to tarnish the legacy of Court 18."
Isner, worn down in that 11-hour spectacle, had no chance against the Netherlands' Thiemo de Bakker the next day, losing, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.
"It was a huge relief to put this one behind me," Isner said of the 2011 match. "I was a lot fresher. I was sort of lucky. His knee was bothering him."
Isner is known for his big serve, but he and Mahut each ended up with eight aces.
"Obviously, you want to be through to the next round," said Isner, who is No. 47 in the ATP rankings. "It's a nice feeling. Unlike last year, I don't have to sleep on this year's match."
Asked how he would compare the two, Isner, 26, said: "Nothing is going to live up to that match. Conditions were probably a little slower this time. I came out a little tight. I haven't played a grass-court match in a full year."
At the end, Isner leaned over the net and gave Mahut a hug.
"It was tough when someone had to lose the match last year,'' Isner said. "This time, he had nothing to hang his head about. One thing: I definitely don't want to play him in the first round again."
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http://www.newsday.com/sports/tennis/isner-wins-wimbledon-rematch-with-mahut-1.2974200
Copyright © 2011 Newsday. All rights reserved.
Special to Newsday
WIMBLEDON, England -- This time, it was just a tennis match, not a marathon. Wimbledon won't be putting up a plaque for John Isner-Nicolas Mahut II as was the case for their historic and extended meeting last year, and Isner, for one, is pleased.
The 6-9 Isner needed only 2 hours, 3 minutes to beat Mahut, a Frenchman, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6), Tuesday. Or 9 hours, 2 minutes earlier than in 2010.
That match started on Tuesday and finished Thursday, Isner taking the fifth set, 70-68. A plaque on the wall of Court 18 notes the time and games.
The sequel was played on the newly remodeled Court 3, after three other matches, and started around 6:30 p.m. There are no lights on the outside courts at Wimbledon.
"Chances are if I don't win the third set," Isner said, "we're not going to finish the match and we're talking about a second day."
When an announcer from the BBC asked if that would have brought back good memories, Isner said: "I don't think good memories, long memories. I'm glad they put us on Court 3. I don't think they want to tarnish the legacy of Court 18."
Isner, worn down in that 11-hour spectacle, had no chance against the Netherlands' Thiemo de Bakker the next day, losing, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.
"It was a huge relief to put this one behind me," Isner said of the 2011 match. "I was a lot fresher. I was sort of lucky. His knee was bothering him."
Isner is known for his big serve, but he and Mahut each ended up with eight aces.
"Obviously, you want to be through to the next round," said Isner, who is No. 47 in the ATP rankings. "It's a nice feeling. Unlike last year, I don't have to sleep on this year's match."
Asked how he would compare the two, Isner, 26, said: "Nothing is going to live up to that match. Conditions were probably a little slower this time. I came out a little tight. I haven't played a grass-court match in a full year."
At the end, Isner leaned over the net and gave Mahut a hug.
"It was tough when someone had to lose the match last year,'' Isner said. "This time, he had nothing to hang his head about. One thing: I definitely don't want to play him in the first round again."
- - - - - -
http://www.newsday.com/sports/tennis/isner-wins-wimbledon-rematch-with-mahut-1.2974200
Copyright © 2011 Newsday. All rights reserved.