Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round of the US Open after overcoming France’s Quentin Halys 6–4, 4–6, 7–6(3), 6–7(3), 6–3 in a late-night contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The German top seed required four hours and 33 minutes to complete the victory, with the match finishing at 2:15 a.m. local time on Friday.
Zverev took the opening set after securing its only break, but world No. 52 Halys responded to level the match. Halys then led 4–1 in the third set before Zverev recovered, forced a tiebreak and moved ahead.
The French player won another tiebreak in the fourth set to force a decider. Zverev steadied his game in the fifth, built a 4–2 advantage and converted match point by forcing an error.
The result followed another five-set test for Zverev, who had been taken the distance by Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round.
Zverev, the 2020 US Open runner-up, is competing as the top seed at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. He will face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.
Although Zverev acknowledged that his performance was below his preferred level, he said progressing was the most important outcome after the demanding contest.