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World’s Longest Beach

February 29, 2012 by · Comments Off on World’s Longest Beach 

World’s Longest Beach, John Isner has proven he’s a survivor. Those skills came in handy in his opening-round match Tuesday at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.

Isner, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (15) victory over Boca Raton’s Jesse Levine. The 6-foot-9 Isner staved off five set points and fatigue in the longest tiebreaker of his career, winning the match on a shot that clipped the net, handcuffing Levine, who hit a two-handed backhand long.

Isner, the world’s 11th-ranked player, won the longest match in tennis history, an 11-hour, 5-minute marathon in the first round at Wimbledon in 2010 that was spread over three days.

Tuesday’s match wasn’t quite the marathon, but it was still grueling for Isner.

“It was a long one,” Isner, 26, said. “If I lost that second set, I didn’t really fancy my chances in the third. The humidity was really getting to me.”

Fourth seed Andy Roddick, the former Boca Prep standout, rallied in his opening-round match to defeat Germany’s Philipp Petzschner 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Roddick, who has seen his world ranking drop to an 11-year-low No. 30, will next face world No. 51 Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Thursday. Roddick lost to Istomin two weeks ago in San Jose in straight sets.

Roddick, who has been slowed by hip and ankle injuries this year, hopes returning to the site of his first professional match on the ATP Tour helps push his career back on track.

“For me, it was a matter of finding it at one point,” Roddick said. “I was returning it badly. I’m just glad I finished strong.

“It takes one to get going sometimes. Hopefully this is the one.”

Carlos Moya won the Champions Tour final Tuesday, defeating eight-time grand slam champion Ivan Lendl 6-4, 6-4.

Isner, who is 9-1 in tiebreakers this year, advances to face Ryan Sweeting of Fort Lauderdale at 7:15 Wednesday night. By then, Isner said he should be more used to the humidity that zapped his strength.

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