And we still don’t have a winner yet!

For those of us following the John Isner (Boston Lobsters' star pictured to the left), Nicolas Mahut match online, the Wimbledon live-scoring technology was not prepared for this epic clash.  When Isner and Mahut reached 50 all in the fifth set, the online scoring reverted back to single digits, starting at 1 again.  That’s how mind-blowing, once in a blue moon, out of this world this match has been.  It’s almost the equivalent of how long it would take to play four WTT matches – insane!!!!

When play was halted, Isner and Mahut had expended exactly 10 hours on court, 7 hours and 6 minutes in the final set alone.  The two displayed the heart and energy of a warrior, each finding ways to hold continuously, mainly due to some very impressive serving.  Isner stands at 98 aces and Mahut is right there with him at 95.  Tomorrow they’ll both have the opportunity to hit the century mark.

What’s so wonderful about the efforts of these two players is that it showcases the greatness of tennis.  It generally doesn’t get top billing in the sports news arena, so to have a match like this playing out at the largest tournament followed around the world is the perfect story for a sport where athletes have to prove themselves and their fitness day in and out.  The mental and physical toughness that Isner and Mahut have exhibited is difficult for any athlete in another sport to equal.  Give me a quarterback that can throw 400 passes in a game and maintain his speed and accuracy.  Or find a pitcher who can throw for 30 innings and not have his arm fall off.  That’s the amount of physical labor involved in this match and yet, Isner and Mahut don’t have teammates to get them out of trouble, or halftime to rest and retool their game plan.  Tennis is a simple test of physical and mental strength between two players.  Isner and Mahut just happen to have shown it to its extreme.

Regardless of the outcome of this match, both players will forever be remembered for laying it on the line and wearing their hearts on their sleeves.  What they have given tennis fans around the world is a piece of history that will not be rivaled for a long time; Australia's heat is too intense for players to last that long on court, the red clay at Roland Garros offers far more break point opportunities and the US Open has a 5th set tiebreaker.  If this match does not make the 2010 year-end headlines for sports, we’ll just have to call for a recount. :)

Part Two of our third blog will be up tomorrow evening.  Perhaps a winner in the Isner/Mahut match will emerge…or not!!