Players say it’s time for a rule change

Between that and the energy-sapper against Isner, it’s hard to imagine how Anderson will have much left for Sunday’s final, his second at a major.

Anderson was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at last year’s U.S. Open. There could be are match now. Anderson’ s opponent for the title will be Nadal or Novak Djokovic, whose semi-final match was suspended after three sets with Djokovic up 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

Wimbledon doesn’t use tiebreakers in the fifth set for men, or third set for women, so there’s nothing to prevent a match from continuing ad infinitum. Both Isner and Anderson said they’d like to see that change.

“It’s long overdue,” said Isner, who suggested changing the rule to using a tie breaker at 12-all in the fifth set. “I’m a big part of that, and a big part of this discussion, of course.”

At one point in the fifth set, a spectator shouted, “Come on, guys! We want to see Rafa!”

The 6-foot-8 Anderson and 6-foot-10 Isner go way back, to their college days, Isner at Georgia, Anderson at Illinois. In the pros, Isner had won 8 of 11 previous matchups. But this one was as close as can be.

There wasn’t a whole lot of intrigue, or momentum shifts. Not a tremendous amount of memorable shotmaking, either, save for some impressive return winners.

And the serving? Well, that was something else. Isner pounded his at up to 142 mph; Anderson reached 136 mph. They combined for 102 aces: 53 by Isner, 49 by Anderson.

“The effort they both put in and the performance and the guts, the way they competed — a lot to be proud of,” said Justin Gimelstob, one of Isner’s coaches.

“I feel pretty terrible,” Isner said afterward.

“My left heel is killing me and I have an awful blister on my right foot.”