Marathon man John Isner was involved in another epic as he reached round three of the Australian Open.
Wimbledon star involved in another marathon match
Wimbledon marathon man John Isner was involved in another epic on Wednesday, this time at the Australian Open.
Isner was famously involved in the longest match in tennis history in 2010 when he beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set at the All England Club - the match lasting more than 11 hours.
The American did not have to play that long this time but his four-hour-and-41-minute win over David Nalbandian was certainly a strength-sapper.
Isner, seeded 16, finally triumphed 4-6 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 10-8 to book his place in round three, but the closing stages were not without drama or controversy.
At 8-8, Isner faced three break points. Things exploded on one of them when Nalbandian tried to challenge an Isner ace using the Hawk-eye system only for umpire Kader Nouni to refuse on the grounds he had asked too late, the score having alrerady been called. To make matters worse, TV coverage showed the umpire had been wrong.
Aces
A furious Nalbandian complained and called the tournament supervisor to the court but the official backed up his colleague in the chair.
Isner, looking dog tired, duly held to move 9-8 up and broke the rattled Argentine in the following game. The big-serving star finished with 43 aces.
Nalbandian's Davis Cup team-mate Juan Martin Del Potro had things much easier.
The 11th seed, considered by many a title outsider, beat Blaz Kavcic 6-4 7-5 6-3.
There was another five-setter over on the Hisense Arena with 13th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov prevailing against Tobias Kamke.
The Ukrainian won a see-saw battle 4-6 6-1 6-1 3-6 8-6.
