When it was finally over - after five sets, 183 games and more than 11 hours of play over three days - John Isner collapsed on his back on the grass as if he had just won the Wimbledon title.

It was only a first-round match, but an epic one that will endure in the rich lore of Wimbledon and the history of the sport.

"We played the greatest match ever in the greatest place to play tennis," said Isner''s vanquished opponent, Nicolas Mahut.

The final set ended at 70-68 when Isner cracked a backhand passing shot down the line on the 980th point of the match. After rolling on the turf, the American pulled Mahut into a hug at the net.

"It stinks someone had to lose," Isner said. "But to be able to share this day with him was an absolute honor."

The two men stayed on court for special commemorations and posed for photographs next to the scoreboard and its stunning numbers: 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68.

The records were mind-boggling:
&' || 'nbsp; - Longest match: 11 hours, 5 minutes
&' || 'nbsp; - Longest set: 8 hours, 11 minutes
&' || 'nbsp; - Most games in a match: 183
&' || 'nbsp; - Most games in a set: 138
&' || 'nbsp; - Most aces: 215 (Isner 112, Mahut 103)
&' || 'nbsp; - Most consecutive service games held: 168 (84 each)

Isner and Mahut - hardly household names before the match - will now be linked forever in the annals of the game.

"I don''t think I''ve ever said five words to the guy prior to our match," Isner said. "Not that he''s a bad guy. It is what it is. Now when I do see him in the locker room at other tournaments, we''ll always be able to share that."

Isner too pooped to beat next rival

It was only Isner''s second career match at Wimbledon. He lost in the first round in 2008. His best Grand Slam result was a fourth-round appearance at last year''s US Open.

"This one''s obviously going to stick with me probably the rest of my life really," Isner said. "But I hope it doesn''t define my career. I think I have what it takes to do some really big things in this game."

John Isner subsequently lost his second-round match at Wimbledon one day after winning the longest match in history.

Looking weary from the outset on Friday, Isner was beaten by Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. Isner had no aces after hitting a record 112 in his three-day victory over Nicolas Mahut.

Starting shortly after noon in warm sunshine, Isner immediately lost his serve - something that didn''t happen once in his 138-game fifth set against Nicolas Mahut.

Isner lost the first set in 16 minutes, winning only nine points while committing 11 unforced errors. His average first serve was 110 mph (177 kph), well off his normal pace.