Top-seeded Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round of the US Open after a grueling five-set match against Quentin Halys, finishing at 2:15 a.m. on September 4, 2026.
Why it matters: Zverev's victory keeps his quest for a second Grand Slam title alive, but his performance raises concerns about his form as he navigates through the tournament.
Zverev overcame Halys with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in a match that lasted 4 hours and 33 minutes.
This marks the first time in the Open Era that a top-seeded man has played back-to-back five-set matches to start a major tournament.
With this win, Zverev has spent over nine hours on the court in just two rounds.
He is now set to face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the next round.
Driving the news: Zverev entered the match hoping for a smoother experience after narrowly defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, which also went to five sets.
His latest match concluded as the second-latest second-round finish in US Open history.
During the match against Halys, Zverev had to rally from behind, facing a break point when trailing 1-4 in the third set.
He fired 29 aces and converted 5 of 20 break chances throughout the match.
Zverev avoided becoming the earliest exit by a No. 1 seed since Andre Agassi in 2000.
State of play: Zverev's performance was marked by inconsistency, as he struggled with his groundstrokes and made several forehand errors at key moments.
After taking the first set, he lost the second to Halys, who showed resilience by coming back to win sets three and four in tiebreaks.
In the decisive fifth set, Zverev managed to secure an early break and maintained his lead to close out the match.
His win keeps him in contention for a title at Flushing Meadows, where he was a finalist in 2020.
As the top seed, Zverev aims to become the first German man to win the US Open since Boris Becker in 1989.
What they're saying: Zverev candidly assessed his performance during the post-match interview.
The 29-year-old said, "The performance was quite s***, to be honest, but I won, and that's the most important thing."
He acknowledged the physical toll of his matches, stating, "That’s what I go to the gym for, that’s what I go to the track for and train for — to be able to come out on top of these difficult moments."
Zverev expressed hope for improvement, saying, "I hope at some point I’ll start playing — but for now, I’m happy to be in the third round."
He also thanked the fans who stayed late to support him, noting, "The energy was insane."
By the numbers: Zverev's statistics from his match against Halys highlight his powerful serve and resilience.
Zverev fired a total of 29 aces during the match, demonstrating his strong serving ability.
He converted 5 out of 20 break points, showing he can capitalize on opportunities but also indicating room for improvement.
This match marked his second consecutive five-setter, putting him in a physically demanding position as the tournament progresses.
He is currently leading the ATP Tour in match wins for the season.
What's next: Zverev will face Alejandro Tabilo in the third round, a player he has previously defeated twice.
The match against Tabilo is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Zverev looks to improve his performance as he advances, aiming for a more straightforward victory.
With several top seeds eliminated early, Zverev sees a potential path to the final that could work in his favor.
He remains focused on his goal of winning his first US Open title, stating, "I’m crawling toward that. I’m still in it."
As the tournament continues, Zverev's ability to recover and adapt will be tested as he faces Tabilo and potentially tougher opponents in the rounds ahead.