US Open: Alexander Zverev survives Halys’ test in five-set thriller to script history

Alexander Zverev survived another almighty scare at the US Open on Thursday, beating France’s Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam. The German, who is playing his first Grand Slam as the No. 1 seed, has now gone the distance in both of his matches in New York. His opening two contests lasted 10 sets and nearly 10 hours.

After needing five sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego in the first roundZverev was caught again by Halys. In doing so, he became the first top seed in the Open Era to open a Grand Slam with back-to-back five-set wins. Zverev quickly took off his shirt after sealing victory and celebrated a win that again underlined his ability to find a way when his best tennis wasn’t always there.

The 29-year-old was often passive from the baseline and appeared to be losing significant power on the forehand at one stage. Halys also played his part in keeping the match alive, but his mistakes proved costly in the end. The Frenchman finished with 63 unforced errors to Zverev’s 49.

Zverev took the opening set with a solitary break but world No 52 Halys fired in the second to level the match and draw the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd into the match.

The German’s frustration grew in the third set after he gave up an early break to go down 4-1. But Zverev responded immediately, winning three straight games to level and force a tiebreak, which he won 7-3.

Halys refused to quit, winning the fourth set in a tiebreak 7-3 to force another decider and put Zverev through another physical and mental test.

The top seed finally found the opening he needed in the fifth set. He moved 4-2 ahead overhead at the net and then kept his composure to close out the match.

Halys saved the match from imminent danger with an aggressive shot, but his next attempt went wide and Zverev won.

Zverev will now face 25th seed Alejandro Tabil in the third round.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

04 Sep 2026 12:06 IST