against John Isner, 1R 2011
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Fresh off his epic 11-hour match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon the previous year, the tall American met Nadal at the first round of the 2011 French Open. The pair had met two times previously, both the previous year. The two had faced off once each on hardcourts and clay, with Nadal coming out on top each time, although Isner had managed to take a set off the Spaniard on hardcourts.
In only their third appearance against each other, it was Isner who seriously troubled Nadal, the reigning champion, that year. The King of Clay won the first set easily – 6-4, following which Isner put in a solid fight as he dragged Nadal to tiebreaks in the subsequent two sets – winning both.
Displaying his true stamina on clay, Nadal powered through a mammoth four-hour, five set match as he commandeered the final two sets to win 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-4.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
