Saturday 7 March 2015 09:42, UK
James Ward outlasted John Isner in a marathon just short of five hours to give Great Britain a 2-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup clash.
The remarkable contest, elongated by Davis Cup rules whereby fifth sets are not decided by tie-breaks, was eventually won 6-7 5-7 6-3 7-6 15-13 by the British representative.
Ward was forced to come back from a two-set deficit against the big-serving American but his victory, added to Andy Murray's win over Donald Young, handed GB a two-match advantage heading into Saturday's doubles.
The London player, cheered on the raucous Glaswegian crowd, edged an epic final set that lasted 28 games, eventually ending proceedings with his sixth match point.
But it was the American, 91 places above his British opponent in the world rankings, who enjoyed the better of things over four hours earlier, thumping a plethora of serves down the court which Ward found too hot to handle.
It took Ward four games against serve to register his first point as Isner recorded strikes up to 137mph that blistered past the Briton.
Yet Ward was also largely in control of his service games, without the same devastating power, and only missed out on the opening set when Isner edged a tie-break.
It took until the 11th game of the second set for the first break - a pair of accurate Isner forehands allowed him to serve out the set.
Isner's serve maintained its venom into the third set but Ward finally broke to go 4-2 up, enjoying a victory dance in front of the jubilant crowd who recognised the importance of chopping down the American's favoured weapon. Ward held his serve to win a set back.
The fourth set again followed serve, with neither player able to force a break. As it developed into a tie-break, Ward kept himself in the match and forced a fifth set.
With British and American team-mates geeing them up at courtside, Ward and Isner continued dominating their service matches deep into the fourth hour of competition. Isner was twice required to save match point and delivered a response clinically.
At 6-6 in the decider, Davis Cup rules dictated the match continue and two more match points for Ward went astray. A stunning rally, with both players running on empty, had the crowd on its feet before Ward finally mustered the energy to break Isner and hand Great Britain a second win heading into Saturday's fixtures.
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