Roger Federer of Switzerland took 4 hours, 26 minutes to beat Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. It's the longest three-set men's singles match of the modern era.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina hits a forehand during a marathon match against Switzerland's Roger Federer.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Team USA basketball player Kobe Bryant, back left, reacts as he watches the match between Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro. Seated to his left are his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Gianna.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Federer shadows the worn baseline of Wimbledon's grass center court as he battles Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the men's semifinal.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina lays down on Wimbledon's center court as he deals with a cramp midway through the marathon tennis match.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Juan Martin Del Potro is in pain after losing a point to Roger Federer.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Juan Martin Del Potro grimaces in exhaustion and pain after falling near the net.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Federer of Switzerland screams out in joy as the ball drops out, giving him a point in a lengthy third set against Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro. After nearly five hours, Federer finally put Del Potro away at 19-17 in the third set at the London Olympics.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Federer of Switzerland clenches his fist in victory after beating Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Federer waves to the Wimbledon crowd after defeating Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Federer, left, consoles Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro after defeating him 2-1 in a semifinal match lasting nearly five hours.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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Juan Martin Del Potro hangs his head in exhaustion and defeat after losing in the men's tennis semifinal at Wimbledon to Switzerland's Roger Federer in three sets.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

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