Anderson Beats Marathon Man Isner in Longest Wimbledon Semi-Final

South Africa’s Kevin Anderson celebrates defeating USA’s John Isner in the semi-final of Wimbledon.

(Photo: AP)

• Kevin Anderson beat John Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24 in the semi-final of Wimbledon.
  
• This match, which lasted for 6 hours and 36 minutes, is the longest-ever singles semi-final at Wimbledon.
  
• Kevin Anderson became the first South African man to reach a Wimbledon final in 97 years.
  

It was a case of better late than never as Kevin Anderson reached his first Wimbledon final with a heart-stopping 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24 win over the sport's perennial ultra marathon man John Isner on Friday.

After being kept on the run for 6 hours and 36 minutes, the longest-ever singles semi-final at the All England Club, how the 32-year-old was still standing was anyone's guess.

When it was all done and dusted, there were no wild roars, no fist pumping and no raised arms in celebration – all Anderson had left in him was to give Isner a sympathetic hug after he came out on top in the second longest match ever contested at the All England Club.

Kevin Anderson and John Isner hug after their semi-final match.(Photo: AP)

"I don't know what to say right now. Just playing like that in those conditions was really tough on both of us. At the end you feel like it is a draw, but someone has to win," a drained Anderson, who had sensationally beaten defending champion Roger Federer in another nail-biting five setter two days ago, said.

John is a great guy and I really feel for him. If I was on the opposite side I don’t know how you can take that playing for so long and coming out short, getting through something like that is quite different. I’ve known John for such a long time, he is a great guy. To be honest he has pushed me through my career and had a great one himself. I have pushed myself harder because of the success he has had. I have to say congratulations to John on a great tournament, semi-finals here is a remarkable achievement and hopefully he can come back stronger.

Kevin Anderson

John Isner reacts during his Wimbledon semi-final match.(Photo: AP)

Playing Isner who is enshrined in Wimbledon folklore for winning the "endless match" - an 11 hour five minute humdinger against Nicolas Mahut in 2010 – Anderson needed five nerve-shredding sets to topple the American and become the first South African man to reach a Wimbledon final in 97 years. Brian Norton was the last South African man to reach the final in 1921.

A showdown between two tennis skyscrapers – with Isner topping the 6 foot 8 Anderson by two inches – predictably featured three tiebreaks and 102 thunderbolt aces but it was the 32-year-old South African who delivered the knockout blow.

After watching Isner strike a weary forehand wide, Anderson advanced to a Wimbledon final at the 10th time of asking.

The eighth seed will face either twice champion Rafael Nadal or three-time winner Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.