In a display of remarkable endurance and resilience, Britain’s Dan Evans stunned the tennis world by winning the longest match in US Open history. The 34-year-old battled for five hours and 35 minutes against Russia’s Karen Khachanov, eventually emerging victorious with a scoreline of 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4.
The epic match saw Evans trailing 4-0 in the final set, but his mental and physical fortitude shone through as he staged a sensational comeback. Khachanov, the 23rd seed, pushed Evans to his limits, saving two match points before ultimately succumbing by hitting the third one into the net. Evans, exhausted but triumphant, broke into a broad smile before collapsing into his chair, completely spent from the grueling contest.
The packed crowd at Flushing Meadows rewarded both players with standing ovations, appreciating the intense battle they had witnessed on the outside court. Speaking after the match, Evans admitted, “At 4-0, I thought I was out. I just tried to keep fighting. Now, I’ve got a bad headache. It was a hell of a match, and I just want to go to bed.”
Evans’ victory wasn’t the only highlight for British tennis at the US Open. Earlier in the day, both Katie Boulter and Jack Draper secured their spots in the second round. Boulter, the British women’s number one and 31st seed, overcame a shaky start to defeat Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 scoreline. Her ability to regain composure and dominate the latter sets was crucial to her win.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper, the 25th seed, had a far smoother path to the next round. He was leading 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 when his opponent, China’s top player Zhang Zhizhen, retired due to a knee injury. Draper’s commanding performance ensured he advanced without dropping a set.
As British fans celebrated these wins, attention turned to Emma Raducanu, who was set to complete her opening match later in the day. Raducanu, who shocked the tennis world by winning the US Open in 2021, was hoping to secure her first victory at the tournament since that historic triumph when she faced off against American Sofia Kenin.
Evans’ record-breaking match, along with the successes of Boulter and Draper, highlights a strong start for British players at this year’s US Open, fueling hopes for further achievements in the tournament.
