Centre court slugfest
OVERTIME: ANDERSON BEATS ISNER IN 6 HOURS, 36 MINS TO REACH FINAL
Kevin now calls for a rule change regarding final set marathons at future Grand Slam events.
London
Exhausted Kevin Anderson called for Grand Slam chiefs to introduce a cut-off point for final set marathons after the South African reached the Wimbledon final by winning the second longest ever singles match at a major.
Anderson survived a incredible endurance test in the semifinals yesterday, beating John Isner 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 26-24 in six hours and 36 minutes.
The 32-year-old is the first South African man, since Brian Norton in 1921, to reach the Wimbledon final for 97 years.
But Anderson has little time to rest his aching body before facing Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in tomorrow’s final.
And he made it clear Grand Slam tournament organisers should consider a rule change – perhaps introducing a tie-break at 6-6 – to make the deciding set of five-set matches less gruelling.
“I hope this is a sign for Grand Slams to change. For us to be out there for that length of time. I really hope we can look at this, because at the end you don’t feel great,” Anderson said.
“Just playing like that in those conditions was tough on both of us. If I was on the opposite (losing) side I don’t know how you take it.
“I have to recover as much as I can for the final now.”
Isner previously won the longest ever Grand Slam singles match against Nicolas Mahut, lasting 11 hours and five minutes over three days in the 2010 Wimbledon first round.
It was the longest semifinal ever played at Wimbledon, surpassing the four hours 44 minutes it took Djokovic to beat Juan Martin del Potro in 2013.
It was also the second longest match at a Slam, beating the six hours and 33 minutes which Fabrice Santoro spent seeing off Arnaud Clement in the 2004 French Open.
“I don’t really know what to say right now, playing like that in those conditions was really tough for the both of us,” said eighth seed Anderson. “It feels like it’s a draw but somebody has to win. John’s a great guy. I really feel for him.
“I don’t know how you can take it playing for so long and coming out the wrong side. I apologise if I’m not more excited right now. At the end you don’t even feel that great out there, but at the same time I’m through to the final.”
Anderson finished with 49 aces and 118 winners; Isner had 53 aces and 129 winners.
“It just seems cruel and unusual punishment for these guys,” former champion John McEnroe said after the match. –
The marathon tie meant that the Nadal v Djokovic semifinal was played under the roof as the light began to fade. The match was still underway at the time of Saturday Citizen going to press.