Zverev wins second consecutive five-set match

Top-seeded Alexander Zverev survived another grueling five-set marathon at the US Open on Thursday, defeating France's Quentin Halys to advance to the third round. The match, which concluded in the early hours of Friday, September 4, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, lasted four hours and 33 minutes, with Zverev ultimately prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3. This victory marks the second consecutive match Zverev has played that has gone the full five sets. Combined with his opening-round five-set win against Lorenzo Sonego, the German has now spent nearly ten hours on court through his first two matches. He is the first top seed in the Open Era to begin a Grand Slam tournament with back-to-back five-set victories. Zverev, the reigning French Open champion and a finalist at the US Open in 2020, admitted his performance was not at its best. "The performance was quite shit, to be honest," Zverev said in his on-court interview. "But I won, and that's the most important thing." He emphasized his preparedness for difficult moments, stating, "That's what I go to the gym for.