By the time it was over, John Isner had nothing left in him. His second match at Wimbledon lasted only 75 minutes as he was a three-set loser. But it’s hard to blame him. After all, his first match took 11 hours, five minutes and was spread over three days. It will rank among the all-time classic tennis matches. Here are 10 other long sporting events in history:
10. England vs. S. Africa (Cricket, 1939)
Typically, a cricket match can last up to five days. These teams played a match that lasted 43 hours, 16 minutes and produced 1,981 runs. After eight days, the match ended in a draw when England had to catch its boat home.
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9. Milwaukee vs. Seattle (NBA, 1989)
The longest NBA game in the shot-clock era produced plenty of fireworks as Milwaukee won, 155-154, thanks to a last-second miss in the fifth overtime by Seattle. The Sonics’ Dale Ellis played 69 minutes and scored 53 points.
8. N.Y. Islanders vs. Washington (NHL, 1987)
It was the longest NHL game since 1943 and the longest Game 7 in history. Alas, New York goalie Kelly Hrudey made 73 saves and Pat LaFontaine beat Bob Mason after 68 minutes of overtime to win this Easter Epic, 5-4.
7. Kansas City vs. Miami (NFL, 1971)
Miami won this AFC Divisional playoff on Christmas with a Garo Yepremian field goal 7 minutes, 40 seconds into the second overtime. His counterpart, Jan Stenerud, missed a 31-yarder near the end of regulation and had a 45-yarder blocked in the first overtime.
6. Arkansas vs. Kentucky (College football, 2003)
The Razorbacks apparently have perfected the formula for winning in seven overtimes. This time, they defeated Kentucky, 71-63. The game was tied at 24 after regulation. Four times one of the teams scored a touchdown to force another session.
5. Arkansas vs. Ole Miss (College football, 2001)
After entering overtime tied at 17, the teams produced a long, exciting affair. And it didn’t end until the 17th overtime — and on a two-point conversion. Arkansas stopped Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning’s two-point pass attempt for a 58-56 victory.
4. Detroit vs. Montreal (NHL, 1936)
The longest game in NHL history couldn’t produce anything more than one goal. Fun times. When Detroit’s Mud Bruneteau finally scored, the teams had played two hours and 56 minutes of ice time — four minutes shy of playing the equivalent of three straight games.
3. Rochester vs. Pawtucket (Triple-A baseball, 1981)
These minor league teams played a 33-inning, eight-hour, 25-minute game — which featured future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken for Rochester and Wade Boggs for Pawtucket. The first 32 innings were played April 18-19 while the last inning was completed on June 23.
2. Milwaukee vs. Chicago (MLB, 1984)
Harold Baines — who else — had the game-winning hit in White Sox’s 25-inning, 7-6 victory over the Brewers. Tom Seaver picked up the win in relief. The game lasted eight hours, six minutes and the teams combined for 43 hits.
1. Syracuse vs. UConn (College basketball, 2009)
This six-overtime classic is the second longest college basketball game ever, but the longest in the shot-clock era. Syracuse had a last-second basket waved off after the first overtime. Eight players fouled out; Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn played 67 minutes of the Orange’s 127-117 win in the Big East Tournament.
