South African Kevin Anderson and American John Isner will clash in the first Wimbledon semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEST).
When records are talked about at Wimbledon, the mind immediately goes back to 2010 and a classic involving Isner and Nicolas Mahut. The match ended 70-68 in the final set, with Isner winning after 11 hours and nine minutes.
While that mark is never likely to be broken, this is a match-up which could well provide something of that nature.
Anderson and Isner are two of the biggest-serving players on tour, seeing them both rise up the world rankings. With good volleying and net play from both, it’s not hard to see why they both excel on grass.
With that said, neither have their serve broken often, and neither break other players’ serves all that often – certainly not big servers.
That gives the recipe for a long match if it lasts to the fifth set, with the first four all likely to be decided by tiebreakers unless one of the players has an off service game here or there.
Anderson is going to bring untold confidence into this match, having come back from two sets down against Roger Federer to take the fifth 13-11. Federer had won 34 straight sets at the All England Club, so to lose three straight was a major shock, with Anderson right at the top of his game.
That match will leave him under heavy fatigue though, having spent more than four hours on court.
Isner hasn’t had the same taxing level of play, only playing a single five-set match, in the second round.
The pair have played on 12 previous occasions, with Isner leading the ledger 8-4. Still, their last meeting was in 2015 and Anderson has had exponential improvement since then, so the record can almost be tossed out the window.
Prediction
Isner has a track record of cracking on the big stage, while Anderson is going to be heavily fatigued after the Federer epic. Still, the South African should advance to his second grand slam final.
Anderson in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first semi-final at Wimbledon from 10pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, look I didn't have a heap in the tank at the end of that one - hence only lasting a set of Nadal-Djokovic.
Griffo
Guest
And everyone has to cover the same distance over the same course, start at the same time and have their rest days at the same time. Granted, some cyclists have to work harder than others but leading into a grand tour it is pretty clear to a team which guys are going to have to do more of the hard yards.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
You didn't mention that when Anderson got back up he picked up the racquet in his left hand and hit a very decent left handed forehand.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Anderson has certainly defeated some of his "closing" demons - although not all - he should have won that 3rd set. The match was tense because of the closeness throughout, but not as entertaining as even the Anderson-Federer match. Mind you I only saw about 3 hours of it - less than half. I've always been a supporter of playing out the final set - no tie break - but after this and the Anderson-Federer match I'm of two minds. It's hard to imagine that Anderson will be anywhere near his best on Sunday - I believe Isner said it took him weeks to recover from his 70-68 match against Mahut in 2010. On the other hand I support the idea that fitness should be a quality needed to win a major (or any event). Scott I'm sure you'd be happier if you didn't have to spend six and a half hours covering a match with 600 comments (and no responses). So thanks for that, even though I wasn't actually following you during the match. You must be nearly as exhausted as the players.
Craig
Guest
Cyclists aren’t expected to do anything skillful when tired. It’s a stupid comparison.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I might add, we have some stats Match duration: 6 hours, 35 minutes Aces: Anderson 49, Isner 53 Winners: Anderson 118, Isner 129 Total points won: Anderson 297, Isner 271 Kevin Anderson 7 6 6 6 26 John Isner 6 7 7 4 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
The scary bit is, we have another semi-final to go. I'm going to have a 15-minute breather, then you can join me right here on The Roar for live coverage of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who will have a maximum of approximately 2 hours and 45 to play before the 11pm curfew takes over. Thanks for joining me for this one though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kevin Anderson says it best. He doesn't know what to say, and this feels like a draw.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, KEVIN ANDERSON The most amazing day of tennis has come to an end. After 6 hours and 35 minutes, John Isner returns a wide serve with a forehand that misses the sideline. It's the third longest singles match in tennis history behind Isner-Mahut and Mayer-Souza in the 2015 Davis Cup. I'm out of words. Simply outstanding. Kevin Anderson 7 6 6 6 26 John Isner 6 7 7 4 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
Down the T again. He caught the centre service line and Isner returns long! 6 hours and 35 minutes, we finally have a match point. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 25 - 40 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Down the T and the crowd are loving this! Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 25 - 30 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault. Good return on the second, but then Isner sends a backhand wide trying to go past Anderson who was coming to the net. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 25 - 15 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Anderson, after 6 hours and 32 minutes will serve for the match. It's going to become the third longest match in history and the second longest (at least) in one single sitting. Anyway, Isner returns the serve, nails a backhand and Anderson misses a volley. Surely not. Surely not. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 25 - 0 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ANDERSON BREAKS! FINALLY! Anderson has the break of serve. After 6 hours and 31 minutes, Isner finally cracks. The first serve was a good one, but the return was equally good before Isner puts a backhand into the net. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 25 - Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve and volley. He went out wide did Isner, then came racing forward and put it away. Saves the first. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 24 - 40 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
I don't know if Isner will come back from this! He is down 0-40. Faulted, weak second and then Anderson drills the forehand past. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 24 - 40 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
AMAZING. THAT IS AMAZING. Anderson falls over returning serve, then gets back up, continues the point and wins it. Unbelievable. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 24 - 30 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
What a volley! Anderson got the return in, then came up to the net and managed to reach a pretty good backhand from Isner. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 24 - 15 Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Anderson after a fault. Isner tries to hit the backhand return, but sends it wide. Anderson..... 7 6 6 6 24 - Isner............ 6 7 7 4 24 -