France’s Jo-Wilfred Tsonga celebrates winning the match with the longest set in Olympic history, 25-23, in the Second Round of the Men’s Singles at the Olympic Tennis Venue, Wimbledon in London, UK on July 31, 2012. Naden Rebecca/PA Photos/ABACA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: abausaphotos774647
The men’s marathon does not take place until the last day of the games, Sunday August 12, but on July 31 two tennis players treated fans to a marathon set which broke the record for longest set in Olympic tennis history, which was previously 36 games. Milos Raonic, of Canada, pushed the fifth seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to a third set which took 48 games to decide.
Tsonga was able to break Raonic’s serve in the 48th game to secure the victory and advance to the third round. Raonic-Tsonga set the Olympic record but was 98 games short of breaking the All England Club record of longest set which is held by John Isner and Nicolas Manhut who played 138 games in the fifth set of the 2010 Wimbledon first round match.
France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga hits the winning shot past Canada’s Milos Raonic in the 48th game of the third set. Paul Childs/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive589535
Tenth seeded Isner was in London during the Ranic-Tsonga match as he was on a rest day during from his own pursuit of Olympic gold. Through two rounds most of the top seeds have advanced including the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. Of course the local fans have Wimbledon runner up and British native Andy Murry to cheer on during his push for gold.
Andy Murray of Britain acts during the 2nd round of men’s singles tennis match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland at London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, July 31, 2012. Andy Murray won the match 6-2, 6-4. Tao Xiyi/Xinhua/Photoshot/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: ptsphotoshot879716
Atmosphere during the 2012 Olympic games at Wimbledon in London, UK on July 30, 2012. Thomas Sindy/Zoom/ABACA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: abausaphotos773973
The Raonic-Tsonga thriller could be just a taste of what’s to come as the men’s and women’s, singles and doubles fields all continue to narrow and the top players will faceoff at the historic All England Club for their chance at Olympic Gold and Country Pride.
For more photos from the Olympic tennis tournaments check out Newscom, and for a closer look at other 2012 Olympic events and athletes there is also the Newscom Olympic Portal.
Multiple exposure of Andy Roddick of the US preparing to serve against Serbia’s Novak Djocovic during their men’s single tennis match second round for The London 2012 Olympic Games at Wimbledon in London on July 31, 2012. MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour612531
Maria Sharapova RUS writes Autographs for The supporters After her Victory. imago sportfotodienst/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: imagosports648292
Andy Roddick of the United States dove for a backhand return against Martin Klizan of Slovakia during second round men’s singles competition at Wimbledon during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England, Monday, July 30, 2012. David Eulitt/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive562961
US Venus Williams (L) and Serena Williams cheer after winning a set against Roumania’s Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea and Simona Halep during their women’s double tennis first round tennis match at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 30, 2012 during the 2012 London Olympic Games. MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour608699
A ball boys holds balls during the women’s singles tennis first round match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 29, 2012. MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour603739
Women’s Singles Second Round – Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in action. Matthew Childs/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive585597
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Tags: 2012 olympics, All England Club, Djokovic, Federer, london olympics, Sharapova, Tennis, Williams Sisters