Top seed Alexander Zverev and fourth seed Coco Gauff both kept their title campaigns alive late Thursday night at Flushing Meadows, navigating contrasting challenges during the second round of the US Open to secure their places in the third round.
Zverev endured a grueling five-set battle against France's Quentin Halys on Arthur Ashe Stadium, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3. The match stretched across more than four and a half hours, concluding at approximately 2:15 a.m. local time on Friday. The victory advances Zverev to the third round.
In the preceding marquee fixture on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff overcame a stern test from Spain's Paula Badosa to win in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(5). The 2023 US Open champion maintained her composure through a tense second-set tiebreak to close out the match and book her spot in the next stage, where she will meet Spain's Cristina Bucsa.
Thursday's night session highlighted the physical and mental demands of the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Zverev, who previously survived a five-set scare in the opening rounds, struggled to pull away from Halys as the French player utilized aggressive serving and baseline power to level the match twice. After dropping the fourth-set tiebreak, Zverev regained control in the decisive fifth set by breaking early and protecting his advantage.
Gauff faced similar pressure against Badosa in a contest featuring extended baseline rallies and shifting momentum. The fourth seed capitalized on unforced errors during crucial points in the opening set before edging out Badosa in a tightly contested second-set tiebreak.
The US Open continues through the second week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Both Zverev and Gauff remain among the leading contenders in the singles draws as the tournament progresses toward the round of 32.
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