Zverev grinds through five-set battle to reach US Open third round
Synopsis
Zverev has now played over nine hours of tennis in two matches at the 2024 US Open — and he has not dropped a round yet. The top seed's gritty win over Halys underlines both his mental fortitude and a looming physical question: can his body sustain this pace all the way to a first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows?
Key Takeaways
Alexander Zverev defeated Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 on 4 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
The match lasted 4 hours 33 minutes , following a 4 hour 53 minute first-round win — over nine hours on court in two matches.
Zverev is the first male player to reach 20 Grand Slam wins in a single calendar year, with a 20-2 record at majors in 2024.
His 2024 season includes a Roland Garros title, Australian Open semifinal, and Wimbledon final.
He faces 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round; Zverev leads their ATP head-to-head 2-0 .
Alexander Zverev, the top seed at this year's US Open, survived yet another gruelling five-set contest on 4 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, defeating France's Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 to advance to the third round. The match lasted four hours and 33 minutes, coming just two days after Zverev had already endured a four-hour, 53-minute opening-round marathon.
Another Late-Night Grind at Ashe
Zverev, ranked No. 1 and competing as top seed at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, was far from his sharpest against world No. 52 Halys. The German struggled with his typically lethal backhand and serve throughout the match, unable to find the commanding rhythm that has defined his 2024 season.
Yet when the contest reached its critical junctures, Zverev raised his level just enough. Halys, for his part, showed flashes of quality but appeared to feel the weight of the occasion in the decisive moments, allowing the top seed to close out the fifth set 6-3.
The Weight of History at Flushing Meadows
Zverev carries unfinished business into every US Open. A finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2020, he famously surrendered a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem and lost the title. This year, he arrives not merely as a contender but as the tournament's top seed — and with momentum that few players in the draw can match.
Notably, Zverev became the first male player to record 20 Grand Slam wins in a single calendar year, carrying a 20-2 record at majors in 2024. His season has included a Roland Garros title, a run to the Australian Open semifinals, and a Wimbledon final appearance.
What Awaits in the Third Round
Up next for Zverev is 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, a player he has faced before at this very tournament. Zverev defeated Tabilo in the first round of the 2023 US Open, taking his ATP head-to-head record against the Chilean to 2-0.
Tabilo, a clay-court specialist who holds three ATP titles, will fancy his chances of disrupting Zverev's rhythm, particularly given the German's fatigue from back-to-back five-setters. Their most recent meeting — at the 2024 Rome semifinals on clay — required Zverev to dig deep, dropping the first set before prevailing in three.
Can Zverev's Body Hold Up?
The physical toll of consecutive five-set matches is a legitimate concern. Zverev has now spent well over nine hours on court in just two matches at this year's US Open. His coaching team and fitness staff will have limited recovery time before the third-round encounter. This is the defining subplot of his campaign: whether his body can sustain the demand his game places on it across a fortnight in the New York heat.
Point of View
Two finals, a semifinal — yet the US Open remains the one that got away in 2020. The back-to-back five-setters are a warning sign, not a badge of honour: no player wins a Slam on willpower alone across a fortnight. If his serve and backhand do not sharpen by the second week, fatigue will do what Halys could not. The real test of his title credentials begins against Tabilo, not after.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Zverev vs Halys at the 2024 US Open?
Alexander Zverev defeated Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in a five-set match lasting four hours and 33 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium on 4 September.
Who does Zverev play in the US Open third round?
Zverev will face 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile in the third round. The German leads their ATP head-to-head series 2-0, including a first-round win over Tabilo at the 2023 US Open.
How has Zverev performed at Grand Slams in 2024?
Zverev has been exceptional at majors in 2024, winning Roland Garros, reaching the Wimbledon final, and advancing to the Australian Open semifinals. He is the first male player to reach 20 Grand Slam wins in a single calendar year, holding a 20-2 record.
Has Zverev won the US Open before?
No, Zverev has not won the US Open. He was a finalist in 2020 but lost to Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets. He is competing as the top seed at a major for the first time in his career.
How much court time has Zverev logged in the first two rounds?
Zverev has spent over nine hours on court across his first two matches — a four-hour, 53-minute first-round win followed by a four-hour, 33-minute second-round victory over Halys.
