Zverev survives another five-setter at US Open 2026, credits gym for resilience
Synopsis
Zverev's US Open 2026 campaign is turning into a fitness documentary. Two five-setters in two rounds, both finishing past 2 am — and the world No. 1 is crediting the gym, not his racket. He's now made Open Era history as the first top seed to go the distance twice in the opening rounds of a Major, and he hasn't even broken a sweat against Tabilo in two prior meetings.
Key Takeaways
Alexander Zverev beat Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 in 4 hours 33 minutes at the US Open 2026 on 4 September .
Zverev became the first top seed in Grand Slam Open Era history to play consecutive five-setters in the first two rounds of a Major.
The German is the reigning 2026 French Open champion, having claimed his maiden Grand Slam title earlier this year.
Zverev holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against next opponent Alejandro Tabilo of Chile.
Both of Zverev's matches at the tournament have concluded after 2 am local time.
Alexander Zverev, the top seed at the US Open 2026, ground out a hard-fought five-set victory over France's Quentin Halys on Friday, 4 September at Flushing Meadows, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 in a gruelling four hours and 33 minutes. The win, sealed well past midnight, extended the German's remarkable run of late-night battles at this year's tournament.
A Candid On-Court Assessment
Zverev pulled no punches in his on-court interview after the match, describing his performance as 'quite s***' while acknowledging that results matter most. 'I've been here for another four and a half hours. 2:15 a.m again,' he said, having removed his shirt after finally sealing the win against the Frenchman.
The world No. 1 then pointed to his fitness regimen as the decisive factor. 'That's what I go to the gym for. That's what I go to the track for and train for — to be able to come out on top of these difficult moments when you're not playing your best, when you're not hitting winners left and right, just getting through these kinds of matches,' Zverev said.
Historic Feat in the Open Era
The victory against Halys followed Zverev's second-round win over Lorenzo Sonego — ranked 89th in the world — also in five sets, a match that kept him on court until shortly before 2 am local time. Back-to-back five-setters in the opening two rounds made Zverev the first-ever top seed in Grand Slam history to play consecutive five-set matches in the first and second rounds of a Major during the Open Era — a statistical milestone that underscores both the difficulty of his draw and the depth of his physical conditioning.
Zverev's Road to the Third Round
The German arrives at the third round riding the momentum of his 2026 French Open title — his maiden Grand Slam — and brings a perfect head-to-head record against his next opponent, Alejandro Tabilo of Chile. Zverev defeated Tabilo in straight sets in the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2025 and also got the better of him at the Italian Open 2024 semifinal, recovering from a dropped first set to advance.
What's Next
Zverev faces Tabilo in the third round in New York, with the top seed's fitness and recovery from two marathon matches likely to be the central talking point heading into the contest. If his form remains inconsistent but his legs hold, the reigning French Open champion could prove difficult to dislodge deep into the fortnight.
Point of View
At a Grand Slam where he is the top seed, raises legitimate questions about scheduling equity at Flushing Meadows. The Open Era milestone is remarkable, yet it also exposes how physically punishing the draw has been for the tournament's marquee name. His candid 'quite s***' self-assessment is refreshing, but the real test is whether legs that have already logged nearly nine hours on court can sustain him through the second week against fresher opponents. The Tabilo match will be the first real indicator of whether Zverev's fitness edge is a competitive advantage or a slowly draining reserve.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Zverev's second-round match at US Open 2026?
Alexander Zverev defeated Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 in four hours and 33 minutes in the second round of the US Open 2026 on 4 September.
What Open Era record did Zverev set at US Open 2026?
Zverev became the first top seed in Grand Slam history during the Open Era to play five-set matches in both the first and second rounds of a Major. His back-to-back five-setters — against Lorenzo Sonego and then Quentin Halys — set the historic benchmark.
Who does Zverev face in the third round at US Open 2026?
Zverev will face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in the third round in New York. The German leads their head-to-head 2-0, having beaten Tabilo in straight sets at Flushing Meadows in 2025 and at the Italian Open 2024 semifinal.
What did Zverev say about his performance after the match?
Zverev was candid in his on-court interview, calling his performance 'quite s***' but emphasising that the victory was all that mattered. He credited his gym and track training for helping him endure tough matches when his shot-making was not at its best.
Has Zverev won a Grand Slam before US Open 2026?
Yes. Zverev won his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open earlier this year, making him the reigning Major champion heading into his US Open 2026 campaign.
