Rafael Nadal survives John Isner's upset bid at the French Open

Rafael Nadal survives John Isner's upset bid at the French Open

John Isner -- the guy who made headlines last summer by winning the longest match in Wimbledon history -- has a shot at beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open.

Isner won the second and third sets to go up 2-1. But Isner couldn't get the clincher in the fourth set, and now they're into the fifth. We'll track the action to the match's conclusion.

12:02: Big roar for Isner as he walks off the court. That was Nadal's first five-set match at the French. The world No. 1 is still on course for a record-tying sixth win at the French, but he was severely tested.

12:01: Isner goes wide with a lunging backhand and Nadal wins.

12:00: Second match point for Nadal. He survives an endless rally.

11:59: 30-30. Nadal has had two unforced errors.

11:53: Isner extends it another game. Nadal helped him out by netting an easy forehand. Nadal now serving and up 5-4 in the fifth set, with a chance to close it out.

11:52: Nice overhead smash by Isner gets it to deuce.

11:51: Isner was up 30-0 but now faces match point on his serve.

11:47: Nadal holds serve at 40-15 and is a game away, up 5-3 in the fifth set. The five-time French Open champ picked up the pace on his serves, hitting the 120mph mark.

11:45: Isner holds serve to get it to 4-3 in the fifth set. He picked up his 12th and 13th aces of the match in that game. The match has gone about 3 hours and 45 minutes now. In Paris, it's 5:45 p.m.

11:40: Nadal serving and goes down 15-30 with two unforced errors. But Nadal rallies back with three straight points. One unreturnable serve, and another long service return from Isner. Nadal now up 4-2 in the fifth set.

11:36: Isner holds serve at 40-30 to get to 3-2 down in the fifth set. Nadal unleashed a couple of rocket-paced passing shots, but Isner survived with a good save of a drop and also benefited from a net cord.

11:30: Nadal holds serve and goes up 3-1. Seems like the crowd is with Isner over the defending champion.

See photos of: Rafael Nadal, French Open, John Isner

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