(CNN) -- After just two hours and three minutes, John Isner stepped off the grass of Wimbledon's new No. 3 court a very relieved man on Tuesday. This time last year it took the American three days to win his record-breaking clash with Nicolas Mahut on court No. 18 in the longest match in tennis history, lasting just over 11 hours. Somehow fate conspired to have the duo drawn together again in the opening round, and the sporting world was watching to see if the agony would be repeated. That 2010 epic went to five sets, with the eight-hour decider won 70-68 by Isner.
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John Isner and Nicolas Mahut clash again in repeat of longest match in tennis history
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American wins again, this time in nine fewer hours in first-round match
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The 26-year-old triumphs 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 7-6 (8-6) before daylight fades
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He earns a second-round meeting with Spanish 16th seed Nicolas Almagro
It was 47th-ranked @placeholder's first match since losing a five-set thriller to world No.