Alexander Zverev had to work very hard for his place in the third round of the US Open. The world No. 1 beat France’s Quentin Halys in a long five-set match that lasted 4 hours and 33 minutes.
Zverev won the match 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. The score shows how close the contest was. Neither player gave the other an easy path, and the match stayed in doubt until the final set.
For Zverev, the result was important for more than just his place in the next round. A player who holds the world No. 1 spot carries extra pressure at a Grand Slam. Every match comes with high expectations, and a long battle such as this can test both skill and mental strength.
Halys, ranked well below Zverev, showed that he was ready for the challenge. He pushed the German star for more than four hours and took two sets from him.
A Strong Start From Zverev
Zverev made a good start to the match. He took the first set 6-4 and looked in control of the contest.
His serve gave him a useful base. When Zverev can land his first serve with good pace, he can make life very hard for his opponent. He can then use his height and reach to control points from the back of the court.
Halys did not lose his belief after the first set. He stayed close to Zverev and waited for his chances.
That patience paid off in the second set.
Halys Fights Back
Halys took the second set 6-4, which brought the match level at one set apiece.
The Frenchman showed confidence as the match moved on. He did not appear worried by Zverev’s ranking or reputation. Instead, he continued to play his own game and put pressure on the German.
A match between a world No. 1 player and a lower-ranked opponent can often become difficult for the favorite when the underdog gains confidence. That was clear here.
Zverev now had to reset and find another level.
A Tight Third Set
The third set was a major test for both players.
Neither man could create a clear gap, and the set went to a tie-break. Zverev handled the key points better and took the set 7-6.
That gave him a 2-1 lead and put him one set away from victory.
For Halys, the third-set loss could have ended the contest mentally. Instead, he showed once again that he was not ready to step aside.
The match had already lasted for a long time, yet both players continued to fight for every important point.
Halys Forces a Deciding Set
The fourth set produced another major twist.
Halys again refused to let Zverev close out the match. The set went to another tie-break, and this time the Frenchman came out on top.
The fourth set ended 7-6 in Halys’ favor.
The score was now 2-2 in sets.
That meant the world No. 1 had to play one final set after more than four hours of intense tennis.
For any player, a fifth set at a Grand Slam can be difficult. Legs become heavy, concentration can drop, and small mistakes can decide the result.
Zverev had to remain calm.
Zverev Finds His Answer
The German responded well in the final set.
Zverev won the fifth set 6-3 and finally closed out the match.
After four hours and 33 minutes, his place in the third round was secure.
The final set showed the value of experience. Zverev had already faced several moments of pressure, yet he found a way to recover after Halys forced the match to its final stage.
The victory was not simple or comfortable, but it was a win that showed his ability to survive a difficult Grand Slam battle.
A Match Full of Pressure
The contest had several moments that could have changed its result.
Zverev won the first set. Halys responded in the second. Zverev then took the third-set tie-break, only for Halys to win the fourth-set tie-break.
That pattern showed how little separated the two players.
A match like this is not only about powerful serves or strong groundstrokes. It also requires patience. Players must deal with mistakes, pressure and long stretches when their game does not work as planned.
Zverev had to handle all of those problems.
Halys deserves credit for his part as well. He kept the contest alive after falling behind and forced the world No. 1 into a deciding set.
Why the Win Matters for Zverev
Zverev entered the US Open as the world No. 1, so every result receives extra attention.
A top player is expected to beat lower-ranked opponents. But Grand Slam tennis does not always follow the rankings. One bad set can change the entire match.
Zverev avoided that danger.
He did not play a short or easy match, but he found a way to win. That can be valuable as the tournament moves deeper into the draw.
The US Open demands a lot from players. Matches can last for several hours, and the physical cost can rise with each round.
Zverev will now have to recover before his next challenge.
Halys Leaves With Credit
Although Halys lost, his performance gave him plenty of reason for pride.
He took two sets from the world No. 1 and forced him to spend 4 hours and 33 minutes on court.
His two tie-break wins also showed his ability to handle pressure. Against one of the best players in the world, Halys stayed close enough to take the match deep into a fifth set.
The final result did not reflect an easy win for Zverev. It was a real test.
For Halys, the match can serve as proof that he can compete at a high level against elite opposition.
The Road Ahead
Zverev now moves into the third round of the US Open.
His immediate goal will be to recover from the long contest and prepare for his next opponent. A five-set match can take a lot out of a player, so rest will be important.
At the same time, Zverev can take confidence from the result. He faced a player who refused to give up, lost two sets, and still found a way to finish the job.
That kind of resilience can matter at a Grand Slam.
A Victory Built on Patience
Zverev’s win over Halys was not a display of easy dominance. It was a display of patience and resilience.
The world No. 1 took the first set, lost the second, won the third-set tie-break, lost the fourth-set tie-break and then secured the match in the fifth.
The final score was 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.
After 4 hours and 33 minutes, Zverev had his reward: a place in the third round.
For Halys, it was a brave effort against the best-ranked player in the world. For Zverev, it was a reminder that success at a Grand Slam is often about survival as much as style.
The German now has another round ahead of him. After such a demanding battle, he will hope that the hardest part of his US Open journey is still to come only much later in the tournament.
Also Read – The 10-Minute Session for Busy Training Days
