Zverev Advances After Grueling Five-Set Match

Alexander Zverev faced a tough challenge at the U.S. Open, managing to defeat French player Quentin Halys with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in a match that stretched late into the night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This victory moves him into the third round of the Grand Slam event.

The champion of the French Open had already navigated a lengthy match against Lorenzo Sonego in his first round. Against Halys, he found himself under significant pressure, needing to dig deep and rely on his resilience as he aims for his first title in New York.

“Honestly, the performance was not great, but the fact that I won is what matters most,” Zverev commented during a post-match interview.

After the match, he noted, “It was another four-and-a-half-hour battle, and it’s 2:15 am. That’s why I train,” also expressing gratitude to the dedicated fans who remained until the end, saying, “The few thousand who stayed made up for the 15,000 who left.”

Zverev seized the first set with a single break, but Halys, ranked 52nd in the world, came out aggressively in the second, leveling the match and energizing the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

At 29, Zverev showed signs of frustration after losing an early break in the third set and falling behind 4-1. However, he quickly bounced back to equalize.

After winning a crucial tiebreak to take the third set, Zverev lost the fourth but composed himself in the deciding set, taking a 4-2 lead with a decisive overhead smash at the net.

With momentum on his side, Zverev raised his game even further, ultimately forcing an error from Halys on match point to secure a hard-earned victory. Next, he will face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo.