Those who sat down to enjoy a spot of tennis on Monday evening were treated an absolute classic between Gilles Muller and Rafa Nadal in the last 16 at Wimbledon.
In a thrilling match that lasted 4 hours and 47 minutes, Nadal showed incredible heart to battle back from two sets down, but the Muller eventually put him away after making his fifth match-point count to take the victory 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 15-13.
Nadal was hoping to become the first person to win the French Open and then Wimbledon back-to-back for the 3rd time, but instead it is the man from Luxembourg who marches on to the quarter-finals.
Many of those watching at home took to social media to express their appreciation for an epic contest.
Matches like #Nadal vs #Muller is why we play best-of-five set matches at the Grand Slams. Amazing! #Wimbledon
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) July 10, 2017
From the Nadal vs Muller match, this is beyond a doubt, the most incredible point of #Wimbledon this year so far. pic.twitter.com/IGIlYdXM4j
— Dr. Pritam Mundada (@PritMundada) July 10, 2017
Children have been conceived, born and made First Holy Communion in the time that's passed since this fifth set started. #Wimbledon
— Mark Farrelly (@MarkFarrelly131) July 10, 2017
Müller lights up Wimbledon with a sensational victory against a sporting great. Extraordinary match.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 10, 2017
We'll have had the two quarter finals in Pairc ui Chaoimh before this Nadal/Muller match is over
— Cork's RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) July 10, 2017
This Nadal-Muller set has just this second now lasted longer than the entire running time of the original Star Wars.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 10, 2017
Well that was brilliant. Nadal is such a class act, so gracious in defeat but WHAT a performance from Muller ??????? #Wimbeldon
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 10, 2017
Wow... 4 and a half hrs of sprinting! Amazing athletes @RafaelNadal #muller
— Jelena Djokovic (@JelenaRisticNDF) July 10, 2017
Nadal and Muller greet each other at the end of the match. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Yn0Bl48ru0
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2017
What a guy Nadal is. Didn't need to sign those autographs, but by signing them he made those fans day.
Champion.— Utsav Ojha (@_thatUtsavOjha) July 10, 2017
Rafael Nadal just lost one of the most historic matches in tennis history, nearly 5 hours, 5 sets.
And he stops to sign autographs ❤️— Ó.R (@ONiRuaidh) July 10, 2017
Despite losing, Rafael Nadal waited to walk alongside his opponent Gilles Muller. ?? #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/VoljiKYMC3
— FOX Sports Radio1340 (@1340AMFOXSports) July 10, 2017
Nadal really is a class act, it will be interesting to see what Muller has left in the tank after that battle.
Huge respect to both men.
