The Match That Wouldn't End: John Isner Finally Defeats Nicolas Mahut In Epic Fifth-Set Wimbledon Marathon, 70-68

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Match Commemorated With Post-Match Ceremony

After the two embraced at the net, Isner acknowledged the crowd and Mahut as the Frenchman slumped in a chair with a towel draped over his head.

Swooping in out of nowhere, an All-England Club official came onto the court with a microphone to begin a ceremony, as if Isner had just won an entire tournament.

Joined by retired British tennis Icons Ann Jones and Tim Henman, Isner and Mahut were kept on court and each presented with some sort of commemorative tchotchke. They left whatever they were in the boxes, so it wasn’t entirely clear what it was.

They then had both players (as well as chair umpire Mo Layani) stand in front of the 70-68 scoreboard for photographers, which all eventually agreed to do.  The fans booed, but mostly because the scoreboard they choose to stand next to was under the main stands, and therefore could not be photographed by most in attendance.

It already seemed cruel to restrain Mahut from leaving the court for the odd ceremony, but to make him pose next to the scoreboard was beyond sadistic. Even if he has a lot to be proud of, the guy just found out that he will forever be in the record books in the loser column. Don’t make him smile right now.

Wimbledon: John Isner Finally Defeats Nicolas Mahut In Epic Fifth Set Marathon, 70-68

Mahut made the biggest move of the day thus far in the 137th game of the set, hitting a huge inside-out forehand to go up 0-30.

But predictably, Isner cleared the game to 30 win four unreturnable serves, quickly reversing the swing of momentum in a way more meaningful than anyone could have realized at the time.

Mahut’s 69th service game of the set started with an Isner forehand up the line that Isner thought was a winner, but was called out by the line judge, a call affirmed by chair umpire Mo Layani.

At 15-0, Mahut hit a forehand long for an error at a neutral point in the rally to even the game.

At 15-15, Isner slipped to the ground behind the baseline, but the drop shot that Mahut attempted to take advantage sunk to the bottom of the net.

At 15-30, under pressure, Mahut bravely ventured to the net, and finished the point with a touch volley for 30-30.

Mahut came to net again at 30-30, but was passed by a great Isner forehand up the line to give Isner his fifth match point.

And on that fifth match point, his first of the day, Isner finally ended it with another up the line passing shot winner, this one off the backhand side.

Isner collapsed to the ground in joy, a celebration more pronounced and more deserved than the usual fare saved for winning a slam.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 68-68

After he held easily yet again, an Isner backhand passing shot bounced off the netcord and over Mahut’s racquet to give Isner a look at 0-15. But Isner couldn’t win another point, and so we’re tied again, at 68-68.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 67-67

Fifty minutes in, and still no different today.

An easy service hold by each brings it to 67-67

It’s almost as if the two players made a pact to let this thing reach 100-100 before they let it get interesting.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 66-66

At 65-65, Mahut hit a spectacular running backhand winner in the third point of Isner’s service game to get as close as 40-15, but it was the only point of the game he could manage.

Isner then couldn’t manage a single point in his next return game as Mahut held to love yet again.

66-66.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 65-65

Isner was helped by a very generous netcord on his first point at 64-64, but held very crisply from then on for a hold to 15.

Isner clearly going for more on his returns. A hard return up the middle drew an error on the first point of 65-64, and even though Mahut held to 15, he was made to work harder for it.

65-65. 130 games.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 64-64

Isner lost the first point serving at 63-63 on a sloppy looking backhand, but then won four straight to hold for 64-63.

Mahut needed a self-overrule from a line judge on the second point, but after that continued his typical serving to 40-0.

Isner finally stepped in on a second serve to crack a return on the fourth point of game, and a stunned Mahut stuffed his next shot into the net.

But an ace by Mahut on the next serve levels the match again at 64-64.

More returning like he did on that won point could pay big dividends for Isner. He should try it more often.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 63-63

Both guys look to be throwing all their energy into serving, and not much at all in returning.

If this match is ever going to end, that will have to change.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 62-62

Isner held easily to 15 to gain his 62nd lead of this set.

Mahut is getting more and more aggravated with the noise being caused by the legions of photographers on court, but he too held routinely.

Both players look to be right back into yesterday’s serving rhythms and returning ruts.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 61-61

Isner won the first point of the game, but Mahut hit his 97th ace out wide, his 98th and 99th ace up the “T,” and finished with a backhand winner up the line.

Mahut is holding easily, but is having Tiger Woods-esque difficulties with cameras making noise during his service motion.

61-61. No asterisk needed. [/Maris’d]

Wimbledon: Isner Leads Mahut 61-60; Isner Hits Ace No. 100

Answering right back, Isner too has held at love, hitting his 99th and 100th aces of the match in the process.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 60-60

A long rally on the first point, but three big serves on the next three points help Mahut hold to love.

Five dozen apiece.

Wimbledon: Isner Leads Mahut 60-59

Isner opened the game at 59-59 with a double fault, and his second serve on the next point barely hit the back of the line.

Two unreturned serves got Isner to 40-15, but two forehand errors from Isner leveled the game at deuce.

Isner hammered an ace up the middle for Ad-In, and then hit a service winner on a body serve to take the first game of the day.

Mahut to serve to stay alive…for the 56th time.

Wimbledon: Isner, Mahut Back On Court 18, Warming Up

Returning to thunderous applause, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut are now back on Court 18, and have begun to warm-up.

Isner definitely looks like the springier of the two.

The balls that will be used at the beginning of the resumption are the same they used in the latest stages of yesterday’s play, with the balls being kept in a refrigerator overnight to preserve their wear. The two are warming up with used balls, to simulate the ones they will be using to open this match.

Isner will serve first.

Wimbledon: Isner Just Now Beginning To Practice

John Isner and his coach Craig Boynton decided to wait until shortly before the resumption of his match to warm-up, and so they are just now practicing at Aorangi Park, the practice facilities adjacent to the All-England Club.

Isner looks understandably stiff and sore, but also fairly relaxed. It will be interesting to see how that demeanor changes when play gets underway in 40 minutes.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Will Resume At 3:30 PM London Time (10:30 AM EST)

Fans who staked out seating at Court 18 so they could see the conclusion of the historic first round match between Nicolas Mahut were treated to some pretty lopsided tennis in the meantime.

The two Ladies’ Singles matches preceding the resumption of Isner-Mahut lasted a total of 28 games, less than a quarter of the total games played in yesterday’s marathon fifth set.

Agnieszka Radwanska ran over Alberta Brianti 6-2, 6-0, followed by Flavia Pennetta beating Monica Niculescu 6-1, 6-1.

Isner-Mahut will air in the US on ESPNU.

Wimbledon: Isner, Mahut Reportedly Feeling Effects Of Their Battle

Reports from the All-England Club are that the two titans in yesterday's marathon are finally feeling the effects of their superhuman efforts from their record-setting fifth-set.

Mahut, who showed almost no signs of fatigue whatsoever during play, apparently looks even worse than Isner today.  According to ESPN's Pam Shriver, Mahut was only able to shuffle slowly around the grounds after his practice this morning.

It could be ugly stuff today.  The adrenaline that kept the two playing so well for hours on end yesterday likely almost certainly will not be there at the start of today's resumption. 

What will be there? Fatigue, indescribable soreness, and lactic acid.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Will Resume As Third Match On Court 18 On Day 4

After two second round Ladies' Singles matches (Agnieszka Radwanska-Alberta Brianti and Flavia Pennetta-Monica Niculescu) scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM London time (7 AM EST), No. 23 John Isner and qualifier Nicolas Mahut will resume the fifth set of their incredible first round match with the score deadlocked at 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(7), 6-7(3), 59-59. 

Organizers have stipulated that even if the two preceding matches finish quickly, Isner-Mahut is not to resume before 3:30 PM London time (10:30 EST).

I wouldn't expect either Radwanska or Pennetta to need more than two sets to win their respective second round matches, so hopefully Isner-Mahut will be able to resume right at 3:30, or at least close to it.

Despite the enormity of this historic match, the organizers have decided to follow protocol and keep the match on small Court 18, a venue so far from the many of the other courts at Wimbledon that Jelena Jankovic once whined that it felt like she needed "a helicopter to go to my court."

VIDEO: Isner-Mahut Highlights...So Far

Kudos to the BBC for this package of the many…many serves, top shots and tired-looking fans from the John Isner and Nicolas Mahut mega-match that will continue on Thursday.

As the video says, to be continued…

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Stop Due To Darkness, Tied 59-59

Isner came out of the bathroom break the much fresher of the two, and reeled off three straight points on his serve, including one that finished with Mahut diving to the center of the court.  Isner seems to have lightened up some, laughing and smiling with the crowd.

The new looseness is paying off, as Isner forces deuce.  At deuce, Mahut pushes his second serve just long to give Isner his fourth match point, and his first in several hours. 

But Mahut saved it with his 95th ace, straight up the "T."

The second deuce saw Isner sail a second serve return long, causing him to bite his collar and look to the darkening skies in anguish.

And on his advantage, Mahut hit yet another service winner to Isner's backhand side, giving him the game.

After the hold, Mahut immediately walked to chair umpire Mo Layani and asked him to postpone the match due to darkness.   The tournament referee comes out to discuss the situation with the players, as  the crowd chants "We want more!"

It is eventually decided to halt play, despite some clear objections from Isner.

And so with exactly ten hours in the books already, Isner and Mahut will continue their first round match into Day 4 of the tournament. 

Just because today's story didn't have an ending doesn't mean that it's not one of the greatest in the history of sports.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 58-58; Bathroom Break Time

Mahut serving with new balls at 57-58 (how close could they be to running out of balls all together?), and they seem to be flying.  Isner rocketed a shot past Mahut for 0-15, and then a forehand volley error sprung off Mahut's strings to give Isner 30-30 and a chance to be two points from the match.

But as it has all day long, clutch serving prevailed, and Mahut quickly won the game and leveled the set at 58-58.

The players are now finally taking a much deserved bathroom break.

Wimbledon: Roger Federer Drops Another Set, Wins In Four Sets

The Wimbledon men's draw's top seed, Roger Federer, had another tough match Wednesday in his second round match against qualifier Ilija Bozoljac. Federer won in four sets with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Federer, who battled back from two sets down in his first round match, had trouble finishing against the Serbian, converting only three of his 13 break point chances. Bozoljac didn't have a break on the day. Federer won the last set in tiebreak fashion by taking the final three points of the match after being down 5-4 in the tiebreaker. Bozoljac, ranked No. 152 in the world, is the fourth-ranked Serbian man.

Federer is seeking his seventh Wimbledon title. A win in this year's tournament would tie the record currently held by Pete Sampras.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 57-57

Server's making it look effortless, when it has to be anything but.

Isner often doubled over now between points.  This can't be easy on anybody, much less someone hauling a 6'9'' frame throughout.

We now have a game won by each player for each Heinz variety.  Speaking of which, how hungry must these guys be at this point? Bring 'em some hot dogs.

The tournament referee seems set to come on court and talk to the players.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 56-56

Two more easy holds brings the score to 56-56.

Mahut especially seems unfazed by this duration, still showing the creativity to chip and charge and finish points with soft touch at net.

I know adrenaline is an incredible thing, but how neither has shown even the slightest signs of cramping is beyond me.

Nine hours, thirty-three minutes.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 55-55

The service games are getting closer and closer, with more and more impressive shot-making from the returner, but it just hasn't been enough.

Isner hit a remarkable running forehand to climb to 15-15 on Mahut's serve, but Mahut responded right away with the shutdown serving he's been showing all day to secure the hold.

55-55.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied At 54-54

The commentators who keep bringing up how physically exhausted Isner looks need to figure out that this match has been 100% mental for the last five hours or so.  The only relevant body part is the heart.

Serving at 53-54, a loose forehand from Mahut gave Isner 0-30, but Mahut climbed back to 15-30 with some brave serve-and-volleying, and leveled the game at 30-30 with his 85th ace.  His 86th made it 40-30, and his 87th gave him the game and another tie at 54-54.

54-54.  They've practically each won the set nine times.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied At 53-53

Both players seem to be getting a second wind, which is absurd considering how long they've been dueling here.  Mahut threw himself and his racket in an attempt to keep alive the second point of the game.  Fun to watch.

If you wanted to upload this match onto YouTube, you would have to break it up into about FIFTY-FIVE different videos so far.  And we're not done yet.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied At 52-52

The longest MATCH in Wimbledon history prior to today lasted six hours, nine minutes.  This set alone is already longer.

Each player has won as many games this set as there are in a deck of cards.  Time for the jokers?

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied at 51-51

Isner really seems to be showing signs of fatigue now, but he has been for a while, and that serve has bailed him out many times before.

The fifth set alone is over six hours now.  

This has to be one of the most surreal events in the history of sports.

Wimbledon: Isner Saves Two Break Points, Leads 51-50

Serving at 50-50, a couple unforced errors off the Isner forehand gave Mahut 15-40 and double break point.

The last time Isner faced a break point was in the second set, which was over 24 hours ago.

But he dug himself out of the hole valiantly with some massive serving and net play, including a falling overhead to save the second break point.

Isner has survived his first real test of this epic final chapter. 

Your move, Mahut.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Reach 50-50

The fifth set of this match is 100 games long, and the crowd is finally vocalizing the appreciation these guys deserve.

You know those people who run marathons in mascot costumes to raise money for causes? They finish in WAY less than 8 hours, 48 minutes this match has taken so far.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 49-49. Next Up: Triple Digits

The games count in this set is going to hit triple digits.

Take a few moments to assess how insane this is.  The types of numbers going up at Wimbledon right now are only ever seen on basketball scoreboards.

Each player lost two points on his serve in his last service game, which is as close to being finished as we've been in some time.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now Tied 48-48

If they each hold once more, we'll hit the century mark.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Level At 47-47

It's amazing how methodical this match has been.  No controversy, no close calls.  Just rhythmic, incessant tennis. 

At some point though, it becomes awfully similar to Chinese water torture.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied At 46-46

Only eight games to 100. 

Is there any doubt they'll make it?

Only about two hours of daylight left, though.  Could this match really be called for darkness twice?

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now At 45-45

Serving at 44-44, Isner was down 15-30, but hit a second serve so hard that it knocked Mahut down to the turf.

Ninety games down, God only knows how many to go.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Reach 44-44

Isner still hasn’t faced a single break point in this set. Mahut has faced only three.

But it might only take one more.

Each player has now won as many games as there have been US Presidents, even when you count double-dipper Grover Cleveland twice.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 43-43

The pace is slowing down, understandably, but the end does not look any nearer as the match enters its NINTH hour.

There will now be at least as many games in this match as there are keys on a piano.

I’m running low on factoids.

Nicolas Mahut: Who Is The Man In The Longest Match Ever, Going On At 2010 Wimbledon?

There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. Yes, hard-serving American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut really are deadlocked at 42-42 in the (hopefully) decisive fifth set of their opening round match at Wimbledon (at least as of this writing).

That the gargantuan, 6'9'' Isner is in an absurdly long fifth set shouldn't be too surprising: on the quick grass courts of Wimbledon, his massive serve is all but unreturnable, although he struggles in the return game. Result? Both players holding serve, ad infinitum. But who, exactly, is Nicolas Mahut? Well, he's also something of a grass-court specialist, making this the endless match that it is. Indeed, this is what you might call a perfect storm of serving-and-volleying.

Mahut, currently ranked 140th in the world, is better known as a doubles player, although he has had a bit of success in singles on grass courts. Back in 2007 at the prestigious Wimbledon tune-up at Queens Club, Mahut upended Ivan Ljubicic and Rafael Nadal en route to the finals, where he fell to Andy Roddick. Recently, however, Mahut has fallen off. Indeed, Mahut had to go through qualifying just to make this year's Wimbledon field, where he had more than his fair share of tough matches. Mahut outlasted Alex Bogdanovic in qualifying, 3-6, 6-3, 24-22, before coming back from a two-sets-to-none hole to win his final qualifying match and make the Wimbledon field. At the very least, he's shown that he is extremely fit, and more than capable of holding his own serve in pressure-packed situations.

Isner and Mahut have conspired to break nearly every conceivable record (aces, points, games, length of match). We'll let you know if anyone ever wins it.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied 42-42

This fifth set is closing right in on 300 minutes in length.

Isner has hit 83 aces in the match, Mahut not too far behind with 68.

The previous record? 51, by Ivo Karlovic.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Still Going, Now 41-41

Isner really is starting to look tired now, whereas Nicolas Mahut seems to be tapping some new reserve of elfin strength.

If this goes any longer, I’m pretty sure it will be violating some part of the Geneva Convention.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Reach 40-40

Isner and Mahut each hit 40, as this fifth set is now closing in on five hours long.

This set will now have at least as many games in it as an entire NBA season.

And by the time this match ends, the next NBA season may have already started.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now Tied At 39-39

39 games is the most total games you could ever have in a normal ATP tour match, the equivalent of three tiebreak sets. And both players have won that many. And we’re not done.

We’re lucky to have a chair umpire as awesome as the incredible Mo Layani overseeing this match. Not only is he always swift, decisive, and accurate with calls, he also knows enough English numbers to be able to announce these absurdly high scores.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied Again At 38-38

What is there left to say?

The winner of this match will still need to win EIGHTEEN more sets to win Wimbledon.

But, in the shorter run, he’s going to have to figure out how to get out of bed tomorrow morning.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut At 37-37

Nicolas Mahut won his first round match in qualifying 24-22 in the third set. He came back from two sets down in the final round of qualies to make it into this main draw match.

In his second career ATP-level tournament, John Isner reached the final of the 2007 Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, DC by winning five matches, all five of which were decided in third set tiebreaks.

In case you had any lingering doubts still, these are two clutch human beings out there right now.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Tied at 36-36

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut have each won three dozen games in this final set. That’s enough to have won a normal set six times each.

And the quality of play is only getting better as they march on.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now 35-35

Seventy games in now. Close to seven hours.

John Isner came into this match with a career 1-4 record on grass. This is only his second career match at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now 34-34

Shadows creeping across most of Court 18 now.

And to think, John Isner is scheduled to play doubles later today…

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now 33-33; Mahut Saves Two Match Points

With Mahut serving at 32-33, some excellent returning got Isner to 15-40, giving him two match points. But Mahut won the first in a long rally, the second with an unreturnable serve.

Two more big serves from deuce got Mahut the hold, and we’re even again at 33-33.

But has momentum shifted?

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut At 32-32

It’s been the longest match ever for a while now.

They’ve played three hours and forty minutes in the fifth set alone, and half a gross of games.

I hope it never ends.

Wimbledon: de Bakker Wins Lesser Marathon, 16-14 In Fifth

In a match that seems brief in comparison, Thiemo de Bakker defeated Santiago Giraldo 16-14 in the fifth set of his first round holdover from Day 2.

de Bakker now awaits the even more tired winner of Isner-Mahut, if anyone ever wins that match, anyhow…

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Reach 30-30

30-30 is a fairly common score in tennis. It can happen after only four points.

This time though, it’s happened after over six hours, with 60 games still not enough to decide a winner in the fifth set of Isner-Mahut.

This is the longest set ever now, including the entire pre-tiebreak era in whch every set was win-by-two.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Still Going At 29-28

These players look on the verge of death.

Lost in this is that they have the excellent fortune of playing of playing the winner of de Bakker-Giraldo, the other holdover match from Day 2.  That  match is also going way beyond the distance, with de Bakker now leading 15-14 in the fifth.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now 28-27

Still on serve, 67 straight holds in this match. 550 total points. Six hours, six minutes they’ve been playing.

Isner won a fifth set tiebreak to beat Andy Roddick at the 2009 US Open—think he prefers that format now?

Wimbledon: No. 2 Venus Williams Dominates Hot Makarova

Venus Williams dominated an extremely dangerous Ekaterina Makarova 6-0, 6-4 to move on to the third round.

Makarova had won nine straight matches and eighteen straight sets before facing the five-time champion.

Her entire match took place within a mere 65-minute sliver of the Isner-Mahut marathon fifth set.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now 25-24

The last two games have been tighter, but still no break points for an hour or so.

All the records are theirs at this point. Don’t want to be on the losing end of history now.

It’s worth noting that Mahut won his first round qualifying match at this tournament 24-22 in the third over Briton Alex Bogdanovic, so he knows how to close out a marathon.

(USA! USA!)

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Fifth Set Now 22-22

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut are now at 22-22 in the fifth.

The beat goes on.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Now At 20-20 In Absurd Fifth Set

Records continue to fall as John Isner and Nicolas Mahut stay on serve, 20-20 in the fifth set.

This fifth set is already two hours, twelve minutes long. 108 total aces.

Ridiculous.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut At 18-18, Ties Records For Longest Fifth Set, Most Games

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut are now knotted at 18-18, and are guaranteed now to at least tie the post-tiebreak-era Wimbledon records for longest fifth set (38 games) and most games in a match (83).

The original records were set by Mark Philippoussis and Sjeng Schalken in a 4-6 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 20-18 win by Philippoussis at Wimbledon in 2000.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Still Going At 16-16; Isner Sets Ace Record

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut have shown no signs of slowing, their first round match now dragged out to 16-16 in the fifth set—already two games longer than the epic 16-14 fifth set in the 2009 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick.

Isner has already set a record for aces at Wimbledon with 53 (and counting), eclipsing the previous mark of 51.

Wimbledon: No. 5 Andy Roddick Completes Comeback Win Over Michael Llodra

Andy Roddick has closed out his tricky second round match against Frenchman Michael Llodra, winning the fourth set in a 7-2 tiebreak to take the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(2).

Roddick secured a mini-break in the fifth point of the tiebreak with a surprise backhand lob, and from there won the next four points as well.

Roddick exited the court with a jovial kick, clearly aware that most all in attendance care far more about the soccer being played at this same time.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut At 12-12 In Fifth Set

With John McEnroe sitting in the third row (and last row) of the tiny Court 18 bleachers, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut have each held thrice more to extend their fifth set to 12-12.

This set of six games was at least a little more interesting, with Isner getting one chance at match point on Mahut’s serve. Mahut saved the point with a typical service winner, and normality was restored.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut at 9-9 in Fifth Set

No. 23 John Isner and qualifier Nicolas Mahut have each held easily thrice more, bringing their marathon first round match to 9-9 in the fifth set.

Neither has faced a break point in this final frame.

Wimbledon: Roddick Takes Third Set Easily, 6-1

No. 5 Andy Roddick reeled off five straight games, including two breaks, to take the third set 6-1 and jump put to an extremely convincing lead in what had looked like a very dangerous second round encounter with Michael Llodra of France.

Andy Roddick seems to have figured out this Michael Llodra thing. That, and Llodra seems to have forgotten what worked for him.

Wimbledon: Isner-Mahut Goes Into Overtime

Big servers No. 23 John Isner and Nicolas Mahut are in win-by-two mode now in their first round match, tied at 6-6 in the fifth set of a match that began late Tuesday but was postponed after the fourth set due to darkness.

Isner has had his fair share of looks at breaking the Mahut serve, but Mahut has only had one break point during this entire match. He did convert on that one point, however, so he could definitely be considered the more opportunistic of the two thus far.

Wimbledon: Roddick Takes Second Set 6-4, Evens Match

After not a glimmer through Llodra’s first nine service games, Andy Roddick quickly capitalized on a shaky Llodra service effort in the tenth, breaking the serve-and-volleying Frenchman at love to win the second set 6-4 and even the match.

It will be very interesting to see how Llodra responds to a costly lapse like that at the start of the third frame.

Wimbledon: No. 8 Kim Clijsters Easily Through To Third Round

No. 8 Kim Clijsters is into the third round of Wimbledon for the first time since 2006 with a routine 6-3, 6-2 win over Croatian Karolina Sprem.

Sprem is most famous for beating Venus Williams in the second round of Wimbledon 2004, helped by a phantom point in the second set tiebreak in an incident often referred to as the “Sprem Donation.”

Clijsters should have a fairly easy go of things in her third round against the winner of Maria Kirilenko and Shenay Perry, but things get extremely tough in the fourth round against the winner of Petrova-Henin.

Wimbledon: No. 5 Andy Roddick Loses First Set To Michael Llodra, 6-4

Three-time Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick has lost the first set of his second round match against dangerous unseeded Frenchman Michael Llodra.

Llodra, who recently added former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo as a coach, won the grass court event in Eastbourne last week and is on a six-match win streak.

Llodra has been effectively picking on Roddick’s backhand, and has also been effectively chipping to bring the American to net to set up passing shots.

Llodra has also been returning well, at one point winning six straight points on Roddick’s booming serve.

Wimbledon: No. 17 Justine Henin Is First Victor Of Day 3

No. 17 Justine Henin is the first winner of Day 3, defeating German Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5.

Henin has said her main motivation for coming back from her early retirement was another chance at winning Wimbledon, the one grand slam title she has not claimed despite two past trips to the final.

Henin did hiccup near the finish line of this match. She led the second set 5-2 and was twice broken on trying to serve out the match before finally succeeding on her third opportunity.

Her next round should be much, much tougher, as she is slated to face No. 12 Nadia Petrova in what would be a marquee third round battle.

Wimbledon, Day 3: Five Matches To Watch

Day 3 of Wimbledon 2010 features action from the second round, as well as the conclusion of three matches from Day 2 that were postponed due to darkness.

US TV coverage is on ESPN2, except during the World Cup games, when it switches to ESPNU.

1. Michael Llodra (FRA) vs No. 5 Andy Roddick (USA) (8 AM EST on ESPN 2) -- Andy Roddick draws one of the toughest floaters in the draw, Michael Llodra, in the first match of the day on Centre Court.  Llodra just won a grass-court title in Eastbourne last week, and won the doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007.  He's playing with a ton of confidence under his new coach, Amelie Mauresmo.  Roddick rolled through his first round match, but Llodra is a smart, creative player who will pose all sorts of new challenges.

2. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs No. 2 Venus Williams (USA) (11 AM EST on ESPNU) -- Just as her compatriot Roddick faces the Gentlemen's draw's toughest floater before her, Venus Williams takes on the toughest floater in the Ladies' Singles field in Ekaterina Makarova.  Makarova won Eastbourne as well, and has even more impressively won nine straight matches, including five over top twenty opponents.  More impressively, she's won all nine matches in straight sets, meaning that she's won 18 straight sets.  It's not the sort of test Venus Williams wants in the second round, to be sure.  Venus should be able to beat her on power and experience, but at the same time she does not have particularly good record against lefties (like Makarova).  This one could get waye interesting than the five-time champion would like.

3. No. 1 Roger Federer (SUI) [1] vs Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) (~11:30 AM on ESPNU) -- A rare Roger Federer appearance away from Centre Court sees the top-seed take on Serbian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac in what should be a fairly lopsided match.  I have a feeling Bozoljac will keep his personality in check because of the grandeur of the stage, but hopefully he doesn't.  He's developed a reputation as one of the most narcissistic players in the game (and that's saying something), by posting all sorts of pictures (like this) on various social networking sites.  Plus he has propensity for some pretty epic mental meltdowns.  If it's not a good match, hopefully it will be a good show.

4. Shenay Perry (USA) vs No. 27 Maria Kirilenko (RUS) (~10:30 AM, Probably Not Televised) -- Shenay Perry was the last American left in Wimbledon in 2006, so she knows her way around a grass court.  She should be able to dictate play against counter-puncher like Kirilenko, and could.  An upset would certainly be a deserved result for a player like Perry who has been stricken with injuries that nearly ended her career in the last several years.

5. Jarmila Groth (AUS) vs No. 33 Melanie Oudin (USA) (11 AM on ESPNU) -- This will be a very interesting match to see where Oudin's game is right now.  Groth is an incredibly powerful ball-striker who will likely dictate play, but she's erratic enough that Oudin will be able to capitalize if she plays smart. patient tennis.  I don't like Oudin's chances particularly, but it's still probably a match she should win.

The complete order of play can be found here.