Isner, Mahut hope to meet again in final - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Isner, Mahut hope to meet again in final

AFP | By, Newport, Rhode Island
Jul 06, 2011 08:56 AM IST

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, who played the longest tennis match in history last year at Wimbledon, both cruised to victories in their opening matches at the Newport ATP event.

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, who played the longest tennis match in history last year at Wimbledon, both cruised to victories in their opening matches at the Newport ATP event.

Top seed Isner needed just 63 minutes to beat Karol Beck, 6-3, 6-2, in a first-round match on centre court at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Tuesday.

Mahut dominated Sebastian Decoud 6-1, 6-0, in just 51 minutes.

"It's something we're not used to," Isner joked of the quick matches. "The points actually aren't grinding like hard court or clay. It's good to go out there and get a real good sweat. Any match that's this quick is good, especially the first round.

"I'm just glad when I picked my opponent at the draw party, I didn't pick him," he continued. "I would love to play him again -- not in a first round."

Isner outlasted Mahut in 11 hours, five minutes at the 2010 Wimbledon. They met again last month with Isner winning in three sets in a match that lasted about two hours.

"If we play each (here) it's in the final, then we'd both be happy," Mahut said.

The top seed has never won the title in the 35 years of this event.

HT Image
HT Image

In other first-round play, wild card Denis Kudla survived 24 aces against him to beat Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-4; qualifier Jimmy Wang upset third-seeded Igor Kunitsyn 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 and No. 8 seed Tobias Kamke beat Alex Bogdanovic 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Also, Tommy Haas got past Michael Berrer, 7-6 (9), 6-4 and Amaud Clement beat Ryan Harrison, 6-4, 6-1.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now! Catch all the Latest WPL Schedule 2024 and Live score along with WPL Points Table, IPL Schedule and WTC related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On