Marathon Man Nicolas Mahut Wins Grass Return at Newport

Nicolas Mahut played in his first singles match on Tuesday since the record 11 hour, five minute Wimbledon marathon against John Isner. The match spanned three days and set all kinds of tennis records.

Of the records, there were 183 total games played and the most games played in a set (138 during the fifth). Mahut had 103 aces of his own during the contest, placing him second on the all-time list only to Isner's 113 -- the two combined for a record 216 aces. Mahut lost the classic match to Isner 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68.

After the loss, Mahut was granted a wild card entry into this week's grass tournament, The Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island.

In his return to grass on Tuesday, Mahut took Center Court in Newport to play third-seeded Alejandro Falla of Colombia at The Campbell's Hall of Fame Championship tournament. The unseeded Mahut defeated Falla 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. He served up five aces and had his serve broken twice. Mahut won 79 percent of his first-serve points in the match against Falla.

Falla is no pushover himself and took Roger Federer into five sets in a first-round match at Wimbledon.

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The International Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Newport, Rhode Island where The Campbell's Hall of Fame Championship tournament is being played. Mahut has donated a used racket and a shirt from his record-setting Wimbledon match against Isner to the Hall of Fame. Both items will go on display at the museum.

Mahut has always played solid tennis on grass. It is the only surface he has a career winning record on. With his win on Tuesday, he improves to 25-18 record on grass -- including appearances in the finals at Newport and Queen's Club in 2007 -- and moves on to the second round of play.

American Sam Querrey, who is ranked 19th in the world, is also participating in the tournament at Newport.

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