Alexander Zverev survived another marathon battle at the US Open on Thursday, defeating France’s Quentin Halys in five sets to reach the third round.
The top seed battled for four hours and 33 minutes before overcoming the world No. 52 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory keeps Zverev’s bid for a first US Open title alive.
However, his progress came amid a turbulent day in the men’s draw, with several seeded players eliminated.
Zverev Battles Through Another Late-Night Marathon
Zverev was forced to fight deep into the night once again.
The German finished his match at around 2:15 a.m. Friday, just two days after another five-set battle against Lorenzo Sonego also ended shortly before 2 a.m.
Despite the demanding schedule, Zverev said he felt physically strong.
He admitted that his performance against Halys was far from his best.
“The performance was quite shit to be honest, but I won, that’s the most important thing,” Zverev said after the match.
The German acknowledged that he is currently winning matches without producing his best tennis.
“I’m winning ugly right now,” he said, describing the ability to win despite struggling as an important skill.
Zverev made the difference when it mattered most.
After splitting the first four sets, he took control in the deciding set and secured a break that helped him close out the match.
The victory sends him into the third round, but his demanding opening rounds could test his physical condition as the tournament progresses.
Auger-Aliassime and Musetti Crash Out
While Zverev survived, several prominent men’s seeds suffered major setbacks.
Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated by 50th-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov.
Khachanov recovered after losing the opening set and eventually won 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Auger-Aliassime struggled physically during the match.
The Canadian said he felt dizzy and was seeing spots, but his condition did not improve.
Khachanov took advantage of his opponent’s problems and forced the match in his favour.
Auger-Aliassime committed 47 unforced errors and eight double faults during the defeat.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur was also knocked out.
The Australian lost 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Van de Zandschulp has previously produced a major upset at the US Open.
He stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the second round at Flushing Meadows in 2024.
Thirteenth seed Lorenzo Musetti also suffered an unexpected defeat.
Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny, ranked 123rd in the world, produced one of the day’s biggest surprises by defeating Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
The victory marks Sweeny’s first appearance in the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Top Women’s Seeds Continue Their Progress
The women’s draw saw several major contenders advance safely into the third round.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated former world No. 2 Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6.
The 2023 US Open champion had struggled against Badosa in previous meetings but remained composed when the Spaniard pushed her in the second set.
Gauff eventually won the tiebreak to secure her place in the next round.
“I think I need matches like this to build my confidence,” Gauff said.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek also progressed comfortably.
The Polish star defeated Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Swiatek survived four break points late in the opening set before taking control of the match.
Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka also advanced.
Osaka defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 after briefly losing momentum in the second set.
The Japanese star had led 5-3 before Siniakova fought back to level the contest.
Osaka responded strongly in the deciding set, quickly moving ahead 3-0 before sealing victory.
“I just felt like I had to fight,” Osaka said.
Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina also booked her place in the third round.
The world No. 2 defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4.
Rybakina is closing in on Aryna Sabalenka’s position at the top of the rankings.
Mirra Andreeva produced an even more dominant performance.
The young star defeated Germany’s Eva Lys 6-0, 6-2.
Madison Keys Saves Five Match Points
Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys survived another dramatic contest.
Keys saved five match points before defeating Anna Bondar 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.
The American secured the deciding-set tiebreak 10-5 to avoid an early exit.
Her victory adds another dramatic chapter to a tournament already filled with long matches and unexpected results.
Monfils Ends Grand Slam Career in New York
The day also brought an emotional farewell for French veteran Gael Monfils.
The 40-year-old lost to 20-year-old American Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The defeat marked the end of Monfils’s Grand Slam career.
After the match, Monfils thanked the New York crowd for its support.
The Frenchman described his career as a long journey and praised the fans who had supported him throughout his final appearance at the US Open.
As the tournament moves into its next stage, Zverev remains alive in the men’s draw while several major contenders have already fallen.
With long matches, injuries and surprise results shaping the opening rounds, the US Open continues to deliver major drama on both sides of the draw.
