Isner vs Mahut - Wimbledon June 23,2010

The match between John Isner,and Nicholas Mahut has been called due to darkness for the second evening in a row.Tied at 59 games in the fifth set.
118 games played in the fifth set blows a tennis match out of its framework.

I don't know how one of ,or both,of the players didn't cramp,or simply collapse.
These two athletes have reserves of endurance,and courage remarkable to behold.
Isner did look wobbly to me.There was one service game among the last few where it seemed he was failing,and I was surprised Mahut didn't step around and attempt to pound the ball for a clean winner.I think he was a step back on those returns.Isner got the game.
They must both be staggering with fatigue.But Mahut looked fresher.
I don't know what will happen tommorow.It may just depend on who feels worse when they crawl out of bed tommorow.Either one could wake up with a horrible stiff back,and be out of luck.Whichever aching carcass can loosen himself up for the resumption of play will probably have it.

It was just madness.So much action,and still locked in place.No resolution.
The fact is that without a break of serve,a tennis match can't end.No break of serve,no two game advantage.No two game advantage,no end to the set.
That's why the tiebreak was invented.And,of course you still need a minibreak.James Van Allen,all credit due.
This made me think that there may be some kind of mathmatical inevitibility about this occurance.Like the idea that whatever is possible must happen sometime.I can't believe that is literally true.But an event,no matter how extraordinary that is possible,has a decent crack at happening sometime.So we have the unbreakable,unending tennis match.
But someone will break.Somethings gotta give!

To put it in perspective.A five set tennis match ending in tiebreaks would be 12 games a set.Plus add a game to represent the tiebreak.That's 65 games.
They are well past that in the last set.

I feel proud of them,and sorry for them at the same time.
Poor guys.