Darkness hlats marathon men

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut's first-round Wimbledon encounter will go into a third day after a titanic battle that will go down as one of the most remarkable ever witnessed at the All England Club.

Records tumbled before a transfixed crown on Court 18 as Isner and Mahut ended the day locked at 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7/9) 7-6 (7/3) 59-59, in a match which has already lasted nearly 10 hours.

Both players held their serve for an incredible 118 games in the decider before the enveloping gloom over SW19 brought a halt to proceedings shortly after 9pm.