Zverev reaches US Open fourth round

Top seed Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with a straight-sets victory over 25th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo. The German player secured a 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 win on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, ending a streak of grueling five-set matches. The victory came after Zverev had spent nine hours and 26 minutes on court in his previous two matches, both of which went the full five sets. This was the most time a top seed had needed to reach the third round of a major since 1999. Zverev, the French Open champion, was determined to avoid another marathon. "My coach was actually quite smart, he explained to me a best of five set match doesn't mean you have to play five sets," Zverev said after the match. Zverev started the match with dominant efficiency, breaking Tabilo twice to take the first set in 38 minutes. He did not face a break point in that opening set. He then raced to a 4-2 lead in the second set, but his level dropped, allowing Tabilo to win three consecutive games and take a 5-4 lead. The Chilean had opportunities to break and take the set, but Zverev saved two set points and forced a tiebreak, which he won decisively.