US qualifier Yani’s 5-set loss to Slovakia’s Lacko at French Open lasts record-tying 71 games

American’s loss at French Open lasts 71 games

PARIS — An American qualifier has lost at the French Open in a 71-game match that ties for the most in the tournament since tiebreakers were instituted in 1973.

Michael Yani of Durham, N.C., was beaten by Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 12-10 in a first-round match that began Sunday and finished Monday.

Play was suspended Sunday night because of darkness, with the score 8-8 in the fifth set.

Lacko broke Yani’s serve only once in the entire match: in the next-to-last game.

Three other men’s singles matches at Roland Garros also lasted 71 games. The overall record is the 83 games played in a match in 1957.