Tennis
Nadal comes back to beat Isner at French Open
Updated: 2011-05-25 09:46
(Agencies)
John Isner of the US reacts during his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 24, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]
|
Isner saved one match point while down 5-3. In the next game, four hours into the match, and with Nadal serving at 5-4, they played a 25-stroke point at 30-all. It was a classic clay-court point, carried out from the baseline, and Isner hung right in there until Nadal whipped a forehand winner.
Isner paused beside the green courtside advertising signs, leaned over and put his hands on his knees.
"That's one of the reasons why he does what he does," Isner said. "I mean, he just outlasted me there."
One point later, the match was over.
"You need to see the positive side of things. I was stressed, but I managed to overcome my stress," Nadal said through a translator. "The negative is that I was in control of the match, and then I lost control, and I spent two hours more than what I should have."
Boynton also made sure Isner would try to view what happened Tuesday in a positive way.
"It's A-plus from Johnny's side, I think. I couldn't be any more proud of him," the coach said. "My message to John was, 'You got beat by the best clay-court player of all time; you didn't lose."
E-paper
Thawing out
After a deep freeze in sales during the recession, China’s air conditioner makers are bouncing back
Cool Iron lady
Of good and evil
Build on security initiatives
Specials
Memory lanes
Shanghai’s historic ALLEYS not just unique architecture but a way of life
Great expectations
Hong Kong-born singer songwriter rises to the top of the UK pops.
A diplomat of character
Belgian envoy draws on personal fascination to help build China ties.