Encore for longest match

Tennis: The longest-match rematch is coming to Wimbledon: John Isner and Nicolas Mahut will play each other in the first round.

Last year, the pair played the longest match in tennis history, with Isner (pictured) winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68 in a first-round match at the All England Club that lasted 11 hours, 5 minutes stretched over three days. A gasp followed the announcement at Friday’s draw, followed by laughter.

“It’s going to be pretty nuts,” Isner said Friday. “I couldn’t believe it. I joked with him earlier in the week, last week, and said, ‘Watch us play each other.’ And he said, ‘No, there’s no way. That’s not even funny.”’

The two players have become good friends since their historic encounter a year ago. They were to practice together Saturday but canceled those plans once they learned the rematch was on.

“We might do dinner (afterward),” Isner said. “We’re really good friends now, but obviously we both want to win. But we’re going to enjoy it and laugh at it at the same time.”

Associated Press

Lemonade out of lemons at U.S. Open

Golf: It was a case of bureaucracy run amok, at least from the perspective of the children operating a lemonade stand for charity near the U.S. Open.

Kids from two families put up the stand in a neighbor’s yard that just happens to be on a corner across from a spectator entrance to Congressional CC in Bethesda, Md. During Thursday’s first round, they received three visits from county officials, twice with a warning.

The third time, a citation was issued for operating the stand without a permit. It carried a fine of up to $500 and required a court appearance.

In theory, every lemonade stand in every yard is supposed to have a permit. It’s a law that’s not usually enforced, but Montgomery County spokeswoman Bonnie Ayers said this particular stand could create a safety hazard in an area of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Since fining kids over a lemonade stand can be a public relations nightmare, a deal was worked out. On Friday, the stand was moved down the street, the citation was rescinded and the permit requirement waived.

A homemade sign at the old location announced: “Grand Reopening: 25 Feet Down.”

Associated Press