5 Grand Slam matches with an epic fifth set

#3 John Isner v Nicolas Mahut

Isner won the match which lasted three days

Tournament – Wimbledon 2010Score – 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68Winner – John IsnerTime – 11 hours 5 minutes

We can’t forget this match, can we?

American John Isner and Frenchman Nicholas Mahut hold the record for the longest match in tennis history. This match in itself is the greatest advocate for tennis and for the vigour of its players.

The match, which lasted for three days due to bad lighting, is fondly remembered by tennis enthusiasts even today. Mahut, a qualifier then, pushed the then world no. 23 to his ultimate limit throughout the length of the match.

The fifth set alone lasted for 8 hours and 11 minutes, a fact that truly is incomprehensible, to say the least. At the end of it all, Isner took advantage of the Frenchman serving behind and pulled out a ravenous passing shot to earn the championship point.

It was his fifth match point. He converted it to put an end to the Herculean encounter.

The match turned Mahut's career around. Today, he is not known for this match that he lost, but his world no. 1 ranking in doubles tennis. It is this loss that inspired him to come back to Wimbledon last year and win the men's doubles trophy.