By Sean Bradley
(June 21, 2011) In what was one of the most hyped up matches since the announcement of the Wimbledon draw, the game between Nicholas Mahut and John Isner was actually a pretty normal one, as Isner swept Mahut in three straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-2, 7-6(6).
A relative jaunt in the park compared to their marathon 70-68 tie-break match from last year’s Wimbledon, the two finished up in the match in just over 2 hours, around 9 hours fewer than their prior meeting.
Of the meeting, Isner noted, “It wasn’t easy, but obviously it was considerably quicker than last time we played. I’m happy to put this one behind me.” Played on the same court, Number 18, that they had used last year, the real turning point this time was the returns, where Isner was about to earn five break points and convert three, while Mahut squeaked out only two break points, converting one. Isner goes on to play against Nicholas Almagro
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In other late matches, Nicholas Almagro beat Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Though Nieminen took the first match in stride, Almagro was able to complete the later three sets with little resistance.
Michael Llodra of France overcame home country hopeful, James Ward, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, squashing Great Britian’s second best hopes of keep Wimbledon at home, after Andy Murray. Llodra goes on to play against Ricardo Mello of Brazil.