Post by tall_one on May 25, 2004 12:37:13 GMT
Santoro wins historic epic
Fabrice Santoro won the longest match in tennis history at the French Open on Tuesday.
The French star beat compatriot Arnaud Clement 6-4 6-3 6-7 3-6 16-14 in a match that lasted an amazing six hours and 35 minutes.
After Clement had fought back from two sets down, the players were forced off at 5-5 in the final set on Monday night due to fading light.
When they returned on Tuesday morning, the set continued with serve until Santoro made what appeared to be the crucial break to take a 12-11 lead.
But Clement, the 32nd seed, struck back immediately to ensure the war of attrition continued.
Clement, who had squandered one match point on Monday, gained another at 14-13, but Santoro saved it and then broke in the following game to leave himself serving for the match for a second time.
Santoro looked set to choke again when he fell 0-40 down but he battled back to clinch victory, collapsing to the floor in delight - and exhaustion - as he did so.
The match eclipsed a famous Davis Cup tie between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in 1982, which lasted six hours and 22 minutes, from the record books.
Fabrice Santoro won the longest match in tennis history at the French Open on Tuesday.
The French star beat compatriot Arnaud Clement 6-4 6-3 6-7 3-6 16-14 in a match that lasted an amazing six hours and 35 minutes.
After Clement had fought back from two sets down, the players were forced off at 5-5 in the final set on Monday night due to fading light.
When they returned on Tuesday morning, the set continued with serve until Santoro made what appeared to be the crucial break to take a 12-11 lead.
But Clement, the 32nd seed, struck back immediately to ensure the war of attrition continued.
Clement, who had squandered one match point on Monday, gained another at 14-13, but Santoro saved it and then broke in the following game to leave himself serving for the match for a second time.
Santoro looked set to choke again when he fell 0-40 down but he battled back to clinch victory, collapsing to the floor in delight - and exhaustion - as he did so.
The match eclipsed a famous Davis Cup tie between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in 1982, which lasted six hours and 22 minutes, from the record books.
