Wheeeee!
Yes, it's a huge cliche. But if ever "There are no losers, here" meant something it was here. Nicola's singles campaign is over after Halpert finally broke him to take the final set, 70-68. But to his credit, he didn't lose. He didn't choke. He didn't shrink in the moment. John simply won the match. He hit a tremendous forehand to give himself match point, gamely returned a first serve into the court, and then polished it off with a backhand passer to take the match. Mahut didn't lose. John won.
Not that any of that makes Nicola feel any better. He was absolutely gutted after the match, sobbing into a towel and then struggling to hold himself together during the post-match ceremony. Don't know what "gutted" means? Read this. There it is.
Absolute class from both guys.
