VIDEO: American John Isner Defeats French Ace In Longest Tennis Match Ever
Jun. 24 2010, Published 8:50 a.m. ET
And they call Robert Downey Jr. “Iron Man”: North Carolinian John Isner made history Thursday, beating Nicolas Mahut of France in the fifth set by a 70-68 margin at England’s Wimbledon tennis tournament, making for the longest official tennis match ever.
The first-round match at Wimbledon took 11 hours, 5 minutes over three days
The first-round match in the tourney lasted an amazing 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days , with the fifth set lasting eight hours.
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Isner , a 25-year-old Greensboro native, sealed his victory with a backhand winner, then collapsed to his back as he tossed his racket in triumph.
Isner won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. In the epic contest, Isner racked up 112 aces, while Mahut got 103.
Isner was also a collegiate hero, leading the University of Georgia to the 2007 NCAA tennis title.