Wimbledon 2018: Kevin Anderson beats John Isner in epic semi-final

Kevin Anderson calls for a rule change after winning the second-longest match in history to reach the decider. The final set lasted three hours.

Kevin Anderson meets John Isner at the net after their semi-final. Picture: AP

Kevin Anderson is pleading for Wimbledon officials to introduce deciding tiebreakers after outlasting marathon man John Isner in the longest grand slam semi-final in history.

The South African needed six hours and 36 minutes to see off Isner 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (9-11) 6-4 26-24 in a truly epic encounter featuring 102 aces, 96 service games but just six breaks.

The match was the second-longest in professional tennis history, behind only Isner’s record-setting 11-hour, five-minute first-round Wimbledon triumph over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in 2010.

The second semi-final, between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, was suspended at 11pm local time (8am AEST) and will resume on Saturday with Djokovic leading 2 sets to 1.

“I don’t really know what to say right now,” said Anderson. “Just playing like that in those conditions, it was really tough for both of us.

“John’s such a great guy and I really feel for him because if I’d been on the opposite side, I don’t know if I could take that, playing for so long and coming up short.

“You feel like this is a draw for the two of us, but somebody has to win.

“So I apologise if I’m not more excited right now because the mix of emotions getting through something like that is quite different.”

The last set alone lasted five minutes shy of three hours and Anderson said it was unfair on both players.

The scoreboard details how long the match lasted. Picture: AFP

“I really hope we can look at this and address this because in the end you don’t even feel that great out there,” the eighth seed said.

Isner agreed with Anderson that all Slams should introduce a tiebreak in the final set and fall in line with the US Open.

“I agree with Kevin. I personally think a sensible option would be 12-All,” said Isner who was bidding to reach his first Slam final at the 41st attempt.

“If one person can’t finish the other off before 12-All, then do a tiebreaker there. I think it’s long overdue.

“Rafa and Djokovic, I don’t even know, can they finish tonight? They’re getting on the court at 8:15, whatever it is. We’re out there playing for seven hours. You know, it’s tough.

“I’m a proponent of changing that rule, for sure. I think it needs to be done.”

Isner finished the tournament with a record 221 aces.

Anderson hugs Isner at the net. Picture: AP

The US Open is the only grand slam to use tiebreakers in the fifth set, with the Australian Open and French Open, like Wimbledon, both also playing advantage sets.

Twitter was abuzz with jokes that the Anderson-Isner match could well stretch beyond the 70-68 final-set scoreline that Isner won with over Mahut eight years ago.

That “endless match” prompted officials to erect a plaque on Court 18 to commemorate the feats of the two players.

Many would argue Anderson and Isner deserve similar recognition after the great mates warmly embraced at the net before receiving a standing ovation from tennis’s most famous centre-court crowd.

Anderson’s prize for his bittersweet victory over his former US college friend and rival is a date on Sunday with either world No.1 Rafael Nadal or fellow grand slam giant Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic under the roof late on Friday night, London time, in their semi-final. Picture: AFP

The ridiculous length of the Anderson-Isner clash left Nadal and Djokovic waiting until 8pm local time before stepping on court for their box office semi-final.

The roof was closed and Nadal and Djokovic had until the 11pm club curfew to finish or return on Saturday, the traditional rest day for the two men’s semi-finalists.

Should Nadal prevail in the duo’s record 52nd showdown, the Spaniard will play Anderson in a repeat of last year’s US Open final in New York.

Isner, left, and Anderson leave the court after their epic encounter. Picture: AFP

Until Friday, Isner had not dropped serve until Anderson halted that run at 110 service games in the third set.

“I feel pretty terrible. My left heel is killing me. I have an awful blister on my right foot. I’ve felt better before,” said Isner who had also been hoping to be the first American man in a Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

“You know, a few days’ rest, maybe more than that, and I’ll recoup an Isner said that being part of yet another record-breaking match did not help ease his pain.

“That’s no consolation to me. It’s not. I’m not going to hang my hat on that, for sure,” he said.

AAP/AFP