Felix Auger-Aliassime stormed the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday evening with an exciting comeback victory at World No 3 Alexander Zverev, in which he switched off one of the title favorites 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The Canadian 25th seed had not reached the second week in New York since its semi-final in 2021, but called on some of the best tennis of his career to achieve a first Grand Slam victory on a top five opponent. The match extended to three hours and 48 minutes and ended shortly before midnight and delayed the night session that followed.
“It feels really good,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I am still young, but I have been working on this for years. Some people may have watched me for the first time and to show that kind of tennis on this stage means a lot. The tournament is not over, the work is not done yet, but nights like these keep me going.”
Zverev, the second place in New York and a semi-finalist at the Australian Open earlier this year, had looked in full control after breaking the opening match and the easy sealing of the first set. But as soon as Auger-Aliassy brought a debilitating second set of tiebreak, saved from the edge by daring shot and helped over the line through a power cord, the momentum decided.
The German was increasingly agitated as his foundations failed and his racket closed after an early break in the third set. Auger-Aliassime consolidated with clutch spring and Forehand winners, so Zverev is under pressure in extended rallies. When the Canadian broke out to love halfway through the fourth set, Armstrong’s full crowd felt the upset. He concluded it on serve and pumped his fist when Zverev has been throwing away his earliest US Open Exit since 2018.
For Auger-Aliassime, the result was a tonic after uneven seasons and recurring injuries. Once tipped as a future champion, he admitted that faith has been tested. “I’ve had ups and downs,” he said. “But you keep working, you keep believing. Tonight show what is possible.”
Zverev, who is still having a first Grand Slam -Kroon on 28, leaves New York for the first time in seven years in the third round. His summer Hard-Court Swing was staggered after a defeat in the first round in Wimbledon, despite a strong spring with another run to the quarterfinals of Roland Garros.
Auger-Aliassime continues to a fourth round meeting with Russia’s Andrey Rublev, the 15th seed, who previously beat the Coleman Wong Cameron Norrie van Hong Kong in five sets. Rublev has never been advanced beyond the quarter-final stage in a major in 10 attempts, but has been consistent at this level, making the second week in New York for the sixth time.
Elsewhere in the men’s pulling Jannik Sinner, the World No 1 and one of the championship favorites, past Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in four sets to keep his title Intact intact.
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek recovered from 5-1 in the opening set to expel Anna Kalinskaya in two, which extended her undefeated streak in New York at night. The match that followed Armstrong, Maria Sakkari against Beatriz Haddad Maia, only started at 11.28 am because of the Auger-Alias-time-Zverev marathon.
De Schemastam again emphasized the current debate about Late-Night Finishes at Grand Slams. The US Open introduced a rule last year, so that referees switch matches that did not start at 11.15 pm to external courts, but with Armstrong already deep in the game there was no realistic option.
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