Wimbledon Recap: Anderson Defeats Isner in Historically Long Match

The 8th ranked player in the world Kevin Anderson defeated the 9th ranked John Isner in the second-longest match in Major history.

Kevin Anderon’s Hot Streak

The 32-year-old native of South Africa has had quite the run in the 2018 Wimbledon. In the first four rounds, Anderson only lost two sets in four total matches. In the quarterfinals, Anderson took on Roger Federer, the current holder of the number one overall ranking in the world. Anderson defeated Federer in an epic five-set match, winning the fifth set by a score of 13-11.

The semifinals saw Anderson put up an even more impressive performance. Anderson defeated the American John Isner in five sets, winning the fifth set 26-24. This is the second time in his career that Anderson has reached a final in a major tournament, with the previous time being the 2017 U.S Open.

"Anderson vs Isner, a Wimbledon classic – you better believe it"

A Centre Court epic ends with @KAndersonATP going through to the #Wimbledon final, beating John Isner 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-7(9), 6-4, 26-24 pic.twitter.com/Fv4ww2cEzK

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018

Back and Forth

Kevin Anderson and John Isner played one of the closest matches in Wimbledon history. Four of the five sets needed extra games to determine a winner. Anderson won the first set 7-6 (8-6). Isner won the second 7-6 (7-5) and the third (11-9) sets. Anderson won the fourth set 6-4 to send the match into an epic fifth set in which Isner and Anderson traded games for nearly three hours before Anderson finally took the win.

Isner finished the match with 53 aces and Anderson finished with 49. Isner had 129 winners and Anderson had 118. Anderson had the higher point total with 298 and Isner finished with 271 points. After the match, Anderson said the match felt “like a draw.”

"At the end you feel like it’s a draw, but someone has to win. John is a great guy and I really feel for him"

– @KAndersonATP #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/SHU5fVNUc9

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018

Making History

The match between Kevin Anderson and John Isner made history for several reasons. The match was the longest semifinals match and the second-longest match in Championships history at 6 hours and 36 minutes. The only match to last longer also involved John Isner, who defeated Nicolas Mahut in the 2010 Wimbledon in an 11 hour, 5 minute battle.

In addition, Kevin Anderson is the first South African man to reach the Wimbledon final since 1921. John Isner took home a record of his own during this match, setting the record for most aces in a championship tournament with 214.

Another record goes to @JohnIsner 🎾

We're not sure we see this one being broken for a long time… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5nxtCROuVl

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018