Anderson beats Isner 26-24 in fifth set of Wimbledon semifinal

In the most dramatic of Wimbledon semifinals, Kevin Anderson emerged triumphant over John Isner to reach his first final at the All England Club.

Anderson prevailed 7-6(6) 6-7(5) 6-7(9) 6-4 26-24 in six hours and 36 minutes, the second-longest Grand Slam match in history.

The longest? That also featured Isner, when he beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set of their storied match at Wimbledon back in 2010.

Anderson will face either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal – who strode onto Centre Court just before 8pm – in the Wimbledon final. The match was suspended at 11pm on Friday night with Djokovic leading by two sets to one.

"Anderson vs Isner, a Wimbledon classic – you better believe it"

A Centre Court epic ends with @KAndersonATP going through to the #Wimbledon final, beating John Isner 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-7(9), 6-4, 26-24 pic.twitter.com/Fv4ww2cEzK

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018

Anderson has now reached two Grand Slam finals in the past 12 months – the other being last year’s US Open – and he becomes the first South African man to feature in a Wimbledon final since Brian Norton in 1921.

“I don’t feel like there’s massive secrets (to my success),” said Anderson, who is projected to rise to world No.5. “I work really hard. I have good goals. I’m always looking to improve. I’ve got a great team behind me. I have a lot of support.”

This match was forecast by many as a battle of the serve-bots, almost certain to comprise solely tiebreaks.

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But early in the first set it became apparent this contest would be a little more well-rounded.

Anderson eventually came out on top of a third game featuring eight deuces and three break points to Isner, who returned exceptionally and hit with sting in his groundstrokes.

The South African even earned a set point in the 10th game when up 4-5, 30-40, yet Isner served his way out of trouble.

The two towering talents split tiebreaks but in the third set the pattern of holds was upset when Anderson scored the first break of the match. Leading 5-3, he was serving for a two-sets-to-one lead.

If Anderson loses this match, it might have been on the FH on open court he has in that 5-3 game and ends playing right back at Isner. Lord that game wasn't clutch.

— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) July 13, 2018

Then came would could only be termed a choke. Anderson tightened up, lost pace on his shots and his shot selection suffered. Isner broke back. In the tiebreak that followed, Anderson led by a minibreak, and earned a set point – only to double fault.

Soon Isner led two sets to love.

Anderson recovered in the fourth, and as the fifth unfolded he looked the increasingly likely player, generally holding serve more comfortably and looking the slightly fitter, fresher player.

He broke in the 49th game for a 25-24 lead; when scores were at 0-15 he’d fallen over, gotten back up, played a reactive left-handed forehand and eventually won the point when Isner hooked a forehand wide.

"We have seen it all!"

A left-handed shot from @KAndersonATP? This match has now produced EVERYTHING. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/pzzVlqRzT9

— #7TENNIS ???? (@7tennis) July 13, 2018

This time, there was no choke. He served out the game – and sealed the win – for the loss of just one point.

“My feet are sore, they’re swollen. The legs are pretty jelly-like,” Anderson said.

“It’s close (to breaking point). You’re really in a war of attrition out there. It’s way beyond a normal tennis match or tactics. I mean, it’s just who’s going to, you know, outlast each other.

“I don’t know what got me through today’s match other than just a will to try to succeed, keep pushing myself.

“I take a lot of pride in that.”