Evans Aces Epic US Open Marathon, Seals Record Victory

New York, Aug 27 (EFE).- The US Open witnessed its longest match ever on Tuesday, as Daniel Evans edged out Karen Khachanov in a grueling five-hour, 35-minute showdown, winning 6-7(8), 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4.

The Briton staged a remarkable comeback, rallying from 0-4 in the deciding set to eliminate the 23rd-seeded Russian in a nail-biting finish to this New York tennis marathon.

The previous record at Flushing Meadows was set during the 1992 semi-final between Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang, which lasted five hours and 26 minutes. Edberg won that match 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-4.

Evans called it “a long, long battle.”

“I thought I played pretty well for the majority of the match. Obviously I was struggling physically, but so was he,” Evans said after the match. “It was sort of who could last the longest in the end.”

The Court 6 crowd was electric throughout, urging Evans back into the match. Fans roared with delight as he sealed the historic encounter with a final forehand, which Khachanov missed into the net. The packed stands left barely any room to stand as the epic clash came to a close.

In other encounters on Tuesday, Carlos Alcaraz, Jessica Bouzas and Sara Sorribes brought smiles to the Spanish delegation.

Alcaraz, this year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, had a shaky start at the US Open, dropping a set before defeating Australian Li Tu (ranked 186 and a qualifier) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and 42 minutes.

The world number 3 and 2022 US Open champion will face Dutchman Botic van De Zandschulp (ranked 74) in the next round.

Jessica Bouzas (ranked 74) cruised past Croatian Petra Martic (ranked 98) with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory in just one hour and four minutes. In her debut in the main draw of the New York major, the Galician will next face British player Katie Boulter (ranked 33).

Sara Sorribes (ranked 115) also advanced with authority, defeating American Alexa Noel (ranked 784 and a wildcard entrant) 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 32 minutes.

The Paris 2024 doubles bronze medallist, alongside Cristina Bucsa, will now face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia (ranked 21) in the next round.

Cristina Bucsa (ranked 77) was defeated by Italy’s Sara Errani (ranked 96) 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in two hours and two minutes. Jaume Munar (ranked 84) also failed to advance past the first round, losing to Canada’s Gabriel Diallo (ranked 143) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 23 minutes.

In addition to Alcaraz, other title contenders advancing to the second round on Tuesday included Poland’s Iga Swiatek (ranked 1), Italy’s Jannik Sinner (ranked 6), Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (ranked 5), Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina (ranked 4), Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (ranked 5), and American Jessica Pegula (ranked 6).

The day also saw some significant upsets, notably the defeat of Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked 11th in the world, who fell to Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, ranked 86th. EFE

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