In 490BC the military messenger Pheidippides ran to Athens from the battle of Marathon to announce victory over the Persians.

CNN: China takes the Olympic limelight

The eventual winner will play Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands in the next round, who was involved in another marathon battle with Santiago Giraldo, before coming through 16-14 in the final set - although that match lasted a mere four hours and six minutes.

BBC: Wimbledon 2010: Epic halted at 59-59 in fifth set