John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut: Match Of The Century?

This 2010 edition of the Wimbledon Championships has given us a match for the ages.

The first round match opposing the American John Isner to the Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut has broken many records in the big book of professionnal tennis.

Isner and Mahut disputed an intense match on court No. 18 that lasted a grand total of 11h05! The match went for so long that it required three days to be completed. A large crowd gathered around the court cheered loudly for both players during the second and third day of the memorable duel.

John Isner finally managed to end the match during day three of the marathon, winning by the score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6 and 70-68! The fifth and final set alone required a total of 8h11 of play! An amazing record itself.

But the lenght of the match was not the only record for both players. For example, Isner registered 112 aces while Mahut recorded 103 himself. A total of at least twelve records, including Guinness records, were broken, a very rare accomplishment for any single sporting event.

As we already are as far as a tenth of this ''brand new'' 21st Century, I have a feeling that this historical matchup will receive a fair share of votes in the ''Match Of The Century'' vote come year 2100.

A fair comparison to the Isner-Mahut match in the longevity department alone with a different sport could go as far as, for example, a 50 inning baseball game, a Superbowl victory during the 10th overtime quarter, a 40 rounds boxing match or an Indy 1000.

Unless a brand new sport involving cyborgs pops out and steals the popular vote, the Isner-Mahut clash will remain a classic of this 21st Century.

Alright, be sure to be there to register your vote for the ''Match Of The 21st Century'' in a little bit less than 90 years from now. :)

(Picture: John Isner, Getty Images.)