Alexander Zverev Survives Another Five-Set Test to Reach the US Open Third Round

Zverev defeated the Frenchman 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in a match that lasted four hours and 33 minutes. The contest concluded at 2:15 a.m. local time, adding another late-night marathon to Zverev's already demanding start to the tournament.

The victory was significant not only because it kept the tournament's top seed alive, but also because it marked the second consecutive five-set match Zverev has played at this year's US Open. His opening-round match against Lorenzo Sonego had also gone the distance.

After two rounds, Zverev has already played 10 sets and spent more than nine hours on court.

A Difficult Night for the Top Seed

Zverev entered the match as the favorite, but Halys refused to allow the contest to follow the expected script.

The Frenchman, ranked No. 52 in the world, repeatedly pressured Zverev and managed to take the second set after the German had won the opener. The third set became another turning point when Halys raced to a 4-1 advantage before Zverev recovered and forced a tiebreak.

Zverev ultimately won that tiebreak 7-3, putting himself one set away from victory.

Halys responded again in the fourth set. The Frenchman played aggressively in the tiebreak, building a 6-2 lead before converting the opportunity to force a deciding fifth set.

With both players facing considerable fatigue, the final set became a test of composure and endurance.

Zverev created the decisive opening at 2-2, breaking Halys to take a 3-2 lead. He then protected the advantage through the remainder of the set and closed out the match 6-3.

The victory came despite Zverev struggling at times to produce his best tennis. His usually reliable backhand was inconsistent, while his serve also fluctuated throughout the contest. Still, he found enough quality during the most important moments to prevent the upset.

Zverev finished the match with 29 aces and eight double faults.

Endurance Becoming Part of the Story

The physical demands of Zverev's tournament are now impossible to overlook.

His first two matches have both required five sets, meaning he has been forced to recover from two marathon contests while the rest of the tournament progresses around him.

That workload could become increasingly important as Zverev moves deeper into the draw. Grand Slam tournaments require players to repeatedly compete at the highest level over a two-week period, making recovery, conditioning and energy management critical components of success.

For Zverev, the situation is particularly interesting because his 2026 season has already included several deep Grand Slam runs.

He reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, captured his first major championship at Roland Garros and advanced to the Wimbledon final. His results have established him as one of the most consistent players on the Grand Slam circuit this season.

His latest victory also moved his 2026 Grand Slam record to 20-2, making him the first male player to reach 20 major-match wins during the season.

A New Challenge Awaits

Zverev's reward for surviving another marathon will be a third-round meeting with No. 25 seed Alejandro Tabilo.

The Chilean left-hander presents a different challenge from Halys and will test Zverev's ability to recover quickly and return to a higher level of tennis.

Zverev owns a 2-0 record against Tabilo. Their most recent meeting came at last year's US Open, where Zverev won in straight sets. Their earlier encounter came in the 2024 Rome semifinals, where Zverev prevailed in three sets.

While the head-to-head record favors Zverev, his physical condition could be an important factor when the two meet.

A Competitive Men's Draw

Zverev's difficult path through the opening rounds is part of a broader pattern at this year's US Open, where several highly ranked players have already faced serious challenges.

The second round saw third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime eliminated by Karen Khachanov, while Alex de Minaur and 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti also exited the tournament.

At the same time, several prominent players advanced. Taylor Fritz continued his run in front of the home crowd, while Carlos Alcaraz extended his US Open winning streak to nine matches.

American teenager Learner Tien also made headlines by defeating veteran Gael Monfils, bringing Monfils's Grand Slam career to an end.

The results have created an increasingly unpredictable men's tournament as the field moves toward the latter stages.

For Zverev, however, the immediate challenge is straightforward: recover, reset and prepare for another difficult opponent.

He has already demonstrated that he can survive when his best tennis is not available. The next question is whether he can turn that resilience into cleaner, more efficient performances as the competition becomes tougher.

After two five-set battles, the top seed remains firmly in the tournament. His US Open journey continues, but the road toward his first title in New York has already demanded a remarkable amount of endurance.