Zverev Advances to Third Round Amid Upsets at US Open

Men’s third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated, along with sixth-seed Alex de Minaur and 13th-seed Lorenzo Musetti, during the US Open on Thursday. Top-seeded Alexander Zverev secured his place in the third round with a five-set victory over Quentin Halys, amidst a series of upsets in the men's draw. Zverev's match ended at 2:15 am on Friday on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he defeated the 52nd-ranked Halys with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3. This match followed a previous five-set encounter against 89th-ranked Lorenzo Sonego that concluded shortly before 2 am on Wednesday. Zverev commented on his performance, stating, "The performance was quite s*** to be honest, but I won, that’s the most important thing. Physically, I feel fine. I am proud, I think, to be physically quite strong. I just hope at some point I’ll start playing better tennis. I’m winning ugly right now. It’s also a skill to win ugly and when you’re not playing great tennis. I think I’ve mastered that right now." In contrast, Auger-Aliassime lost to 50th-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov with a score of 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Auger-Aliassime reported feeling “dizzy and seeing spots” during the match. Khachanov capitalized on Auger-Aliassime's 47 unforced errors, including eight double faults. De Minaur lost to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, 6-2, while 123rd-ranked Australian Dane Sweeny upset 13th seed Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, marking his first advancement to the third round of a major. In women's matches, fourth-seeded Gauff, the 2023 champion, won against former world number two Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5). Swiatek defeated Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2, and Osaka overcame Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Rybakina and Andreeva also advanced, with Rybakina defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4, and Andreeva winning against Eva Lys 6-0, 6-2. Gauff expressed her need for matches like this to build confidence, while Osaka noted her determination to fight through challenges. Madison Keys saved five match points to win against Anna Bondar 4-7, 6-4, 7-6 (10/5). Additionally, Learner Tien ended Gael Monfils’s Grand Slam career with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory, prompting Monfils to reflect on his journey in front of the New York crowd.