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When two tall men, one of 6 feet 8 inches and the other of more than two inches, armed with games that are built around their huge servants, clash against each other, the match invariably follows at least some predictable lines. 19659002] There will be a lot of little rallies, service matches will be held, sets will be broken, and victory and defeat will critically depend on things like the return of service and, of course, nerves.
10 pivotal encounters in their last six games, South African Kevin Anderson and American John Isner served three more in a surprisingly long and captivating semifinal that lasted 6 hours and 36 minutes before Enderson does not close it 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24 – the last set that lasted 175 minutes.
It is Isner who arrived in the semi-finals without losing a service match, who was the best player in the first set. Returning Anderson's service with a shine similar to that of Djokovic, Isner had three break points in the third game of the set, losing one of them at an easy reverse lap that He hit wide
19659002] While Onderson held his cool, it was Isner who was asking the questions. But perhaps under the pressure of the dashboard, the American's own service game wobbled when he was 4-5, giving Anderson a break point – and a set point.
But Isner, after missing his first serve, sent a second 129 mph service to level two. And then followed with a 140mph ace and another service winner to win the game and level the 5-5 set.
At tie-break, Isner broke first to go up 4-2, but Anderson came back to him with a brilliant forehand on the run to clear the mini-break. Finally, two cleared strikes gave Anderson the first set 7-6 (6).
As expected, the matches were played in the second set, with Anderson getting a breaking point in the ninth but not capitalizing. It was the South Africans who played this game best, returning extremely well and making very few direct mistakes.
But tie-breaks, as the first set shows, do not respect what happened. And this time it's Isner who managed to impose 5-0 before slipping a bit. But with a set point at 6-5, he ends up with a burning Ace in the axis of the line.
Continuing to serve until 4-3, the match took a turn with Anderson capitalizing on an error and then with a return of "
The break had a meaning that went beyond that match, since Isner had not dropped a match on this Wimbledon service until then, winning an astonishing 110 of them on the pitch. trot.
Aggressive Play
But he broke his back with an aggressive and brave game, taking this set also to a tie-break, which witnessed incredible tennis and dramatic mini-breaks. . double nervous faults. Finally, Isner won 11-9 with a deep return that put the point in play.
By the time the fourth set started, it was clear that this match, as some people were considering, was n & # 39; 39; was not a warm-up event for the Nadal-Djokovic semifinal will be played later on the same pitch – not an entry for the main course. It was a targeted tennis played at a very high level, marked by audacity that bordered on effrontery.
This set was a departure with Anderson, thanks to wonderful service returns, breaking up to only 3-2 to find Isner. break instantly. But Isner allowed Anderson to go back to 5-4.
After going 40-0 in the service, Anderson was reduced to two points, but took the fourth break point, winning the set 6 – 4.
Visions of 2010
When the fifth set went to 6-6, he raised visions of Wimbledon 2010 when Isner was locked in a marathon with Nicolas Mahut, who at 11 am and 5 minutes, is the longest match in history.
Both players were very strong, although it was a tired Isner, with a light bulb on his finger, who was threatened, needing to tap into his reserves to close the service.
In contrast, Anderson did not concede breaking point in this set, taking one of the six proposed by Isner under a declining light.
The crowd, including those from the Royal Box, entered a Mexican wave when Anderson broke to lead 25-24 and then cheered every point of the road to victory.
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