Zverev survives five-set battle; Auger-Aliassime upset at US Open

Top-seeded Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round of the US Open with a hard-fought five-set victory over Quentin Halys early Friday morning, amid a series of surprising outcomes in the men’s draw. Zverev, who is pursuing his first title at the tournament, won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 after a grueling four hours and 33 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The match follows Zverev’s taxing first-round contest against Lorenzo Sonego, which also extended into the early hours. These demanding matches come as Zverev seeks to regain his form after a series of injuries. “The performance was quite s*** to be honest, but I won, that’s the most important thing,” Zverev stated after the match. He acknowledged the challenge of winning while not playing at his peak, saying, “I’m winning ugly right now. It’s also a skill to win ugly and when you’re not playing great tennis.”

In stark contrast to Zverev’s success, third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated by 50th-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov in a four-set match that highlighted the Canadian’s physical struggles. Auger-Aliassime, who described feeling “dizzy and seeing spots,” made 47 unforced errors, including eight double faults. Khachanov capitalized on these mistakes, showcasing a relentless performance that underscored the unpredictable nature of the tournament. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur and 13th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti also faced early exits, falling to Botic van de Zandschulp and 123rd-ranked Dane Sweeny, respectively.

On the women’s side, former champions Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka secured their spots in the third round, alongside reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva. Gauff, who is the defending champion, defeated former world number two Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), while Swiatek and Osaka recorded straightforward victories over their opponents. As the tournament progresses, Zverev’s ability to overcome early challenges may play a crucial role in his pursuit of the title, especially as the women’s draw remains fiercely competitive.