Isner is getting used to marathon matches, but these days, he’s as apt to lose them.  Indeed, since winning the marathon match in 2010, Isner has lost 5 five-setters, and won only one.

Certainly, this match, which didn’t get started until 11, will have been his latest, ending at 2:30 AM, tied for the latest end at the US Open.

Isner had just played Kohlschreiber a few weeks ago in Toronto where he won in 3 close sets.  Kohlschreiber said he wanted to move the ball around more to take advantage of Isner’s movement which isn’t great, a problem many tall players face.  Kohlschreiber also chose to step in more to prevent Isner’s serve from getting up too high.

Surprisingly, no sets went to a tiebreak. Kohlschreiber took sets 1, then Isner took sets 2 and 3, then the German took the final two sets.

Isner seemed irascible, especially late in the match.  He was warned when he hit a ball in the crowd.  He was given a foot fault.  Isner eventually blamed his passive play for his loss, due in no small part to Kohlschrieber’s ability to move the ball around and force Isner to hit many shots on the run.

Kohlschreiber now has less than two days to get ready for Janko Tipsarevic.