Exhausted Isner beaten in just 74 minutes
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Your support makes all the difference.Exhausted American John Isner, whose epic first-round match broke all tennis records at 11 hours and five minutes, was beaten in just 74 minutes by Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker at Wimbledon today.
Isner held serve 69 consecutive times in the final set of his record-breaking three-day match against Nicolas Mahut which ended on Thursday, but lost his first four service games in his second-round match at the All England Club.
He called a medical timeout for treatment to his neck and shoulders after De Bakker powered to the opener 6-0 and seemed weary and off the pace throughout the encounter.
He consulted with a trainer at most of the changes of ends, and ate bananas and bars to try and boost his energy levels but De Bakker completed a 6-0 6-3 6-2 rout.
Isner sent down a record 112 aces against Mahut. Against De Bakker he served none in a match that turned out to be the shortest men's contest so far at this year's championships.
All seats on Court Five were filled in just three minutes when the public were admitted at 0930 GMT. Fans queued five deep hoping to squeeze in.
The 21-year-old De Bakker, who came through a long five-set first round clash himself, beating Santiago Giraldo 16-14 in the decider, was greeted with a smattering of polite applause.
Isner arrived 10 minutes later to huge applause and the clicks of a bevy of photographers.
Once on court, Isner found his tank running on empty.
The first set lasted just 16 minutes, with the American spraying forehands and backhands long and wide.
Isner finally held serve at the fifth attempt but it failed to ignite a comeback as De Bakker worked his weary opponent around the court in ruthlessly efficient style.
The game was up after 74 minutes when Isner, who had saved two match points on his serve, put another tired forehand long.
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