Georgia's Isner Keeps Going... And Going... And Going...

I have no idea how to put into context how ridiculous the match between Georgia's John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut was at Wimbledon today. More importantly, I have no idea how to put into context how amazing the efforts of those two men were. The match became more riveting every second, and as the two fought on and on and on and on… it was absolutely sports at their best.

Huge credit to Mahut, who served to simply stay in the match throughout. Credit to Isner, who appeared to not want to call it a day when the ref suspended the match -- thus putting it into its THIRD day -- due to darkness.

It was the longest match ever, both in terms of time and games. Not by a little bit. But nearly doubling both previous Wimbledon marks.

It was an absolute marathon to watch. The two men were nailing one ace after another -- each have nearly doubled the previous Wimbledon marks -- and neither had the energy to break the other's serve. You might think that the night off could finally allow them to regain strength and put this to an end tomorrow… but how sore are they going to be when they wake up in the morning? I can't fathom.

Anyway, here's a bit of perspective:

My favorite all-time sporting event to watch was probably the Syracuse-Connecticut six-overtime game two years ago during the Big East tournament. That lasted a grand total of 3 hours and 46 minutes -- more than six hours shorter than Isner and Mahat's match that still isn't over.

Isner and Mahat have played 163 games (and counting) in their match. Last year, Roger Federer needed only 264 to win the entire two-week tournament.

For a little Georgia perspective: Isner's match has lasted (so far) 9 hours, 58 minutes. Georgia's football team had a total time of possession of just 6 hours, 23 minutes the entire 2009 season. Jeremy Price, Georgia's starting forward for much of the season last year, played a total of 9 hour, 18 minutes all year.

For some historical context, the longest professional baseball game in history was played in 1981 between Pawtucket and Rochester (a game that featured Cal Ripken, as a matter of fact). They played 33 innings (32 one day, 1 inning the next) and Pawtucket won 3-2. The total time of that game was 8 hours, 25 minutes -- more than 90 minutes less than Isner's still ongoing match.

And let's say that you started watching the match in Atlanta but thought to yourself, "Boy, I wish I could enjoy this in person." Well, that wouldn't have been a problem. Because while Isner and Mahut have been playing for nearly 10 hours, a flight from Atlanta to London takes only about eight.

Seriously, this was one of the most remarkable sporting events I've watched in quite a while, and while I'm far from the world's biggest tennis fan, I'll definitely be glued to my TV to watch the conclusion tomorrow.

Isner Advances at US Open

From UGA release...

Former Georgia tennis star John Isner advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(1) win over Marsel Ilhan Thursday in New York. Isner will now face either the No. 5 seed Andy Roddick or Marc Gicquel Saturday in the round of 32.

Isner downed the No. 28 seed Victor Hanescu, 6-1, 7-6(14), 7-6(5), in the first round on Tuesday.

“He’s playing very well right now,” said Georgia coach Manuel Diaz, who was on hand for Isner’s opening round win on Tuesday. “He is on his way to being fully recovered. If John plays Andy Roddick next, it should be a good match. They respect each other a lot and they are good friends. I’m sure they’ll both come out with guns a blazing.”

The all-time winningest singles and doubles player in Georgia history is currently ranked at a career-high of No. 55. Isner missed the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Isner and doubles partner Sam Querrey will play in the second round of the doubles draw Friday at 11:00 a.m.