US Open: Alexander Zverev survives Halys test in five-set thriller to script history

Alexander Zverev survived another five-set battle at the US Open on Thursday, beating Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 to reach the third round.

In Short

• Alexander Zverev will face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round
• Zverev became the first top seed in the Open Era to win two five-setters
• Zverev's opening two contests at US Open have lasted 10 sets and nearly 10 hours

Alexander Zverev survived another almighty scare at the US Open on Thursday, beating Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 to reach the third round of the Grand Slam. The German, playing his first Grand Slam as the No. 1 seed, has now gone the distance in both his matches in New York. His opening two contests lasted 10 sets and nearly 10 hours.

After needing five sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, Zverev was pushed to the limit again by Halys. In doing so, he became the first top seed in the Open Era to begin a Grand Slam with back-to-back five-set wins. Zverev quickly took off his shirt after sealing the victory, celebrating a win that once again underlined his ability to find a way through when his best tennis was not always there.

The 29-year-old was often passive from the baseline and appeared to lose significant power on his forehand at one stage. Halys also played his part in keeping the match alive, but his errors ultimately proved costly. The Frenchman finished with 63 unforced errors, compared with 49 from Zverev.

Zverev took the opening set with a solitary break, but world No. 52 Halys came out firing in the second to level the match and bring the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd into the contest.

The German's frustrations grew in the third set after he surrendered an early break and fell 4-1 behind. But Zverev responded immediately, winning three straight games to draw level and force a tiebreak, which he took 7-3.

Halys refused to go away, winning the fourth-set tiebreak 7-3 to force another decider and put Zverev through another physical and mental test.

The top seed finally found the opening he needed in the fifth set. He moved 4-2 ahead with an overhead smash at the net and then kept his composure to close out the match.

Halys saved himself from immediate danger on match point with an aggressive shot, but his next attempt went wide to hand Zverev the victory.

Zverev will now face No. 25 seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.

- Ends