It was a British bonanza on Night Two of the 2024
US Open as
Jack Draper and
Dan Evans moved through albeit in very contrasting routes. The latter in particular won the longest match in US Open history on Tuesday.
Evans rallied from 0-4 down in the deciding set to eliminate the 23rd seed 6-7(6), 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 in five hours and 35 minutes. It sets a new record.
The previous record was held by Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang. The 1992 semi-final lasted five hours and 26 minutes. Edberg won that match 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-4.
Albeit Khachanov for most of the match looked the most likely. He surged into a 4-0 lead in the fifth set and earned four break points on Evans serve. But he was unable to convert.
The crowd urged Evans back into the tie and as he produced the final forehand, the Brit who is well known for showing his emotion roared back into life. The fans flooded Court 6 to watch the incredible and historic tie. It is only close recently by Alcaraz defeating Sinner in the 2022 Quarter-Final. He claimed the victory in five hours and 15 minutes.
It is also a big win for Evans who as of late hasn't had it all his own way. Partly with a decision to play the Olympic Games. He fell down the rankings as a result and is on a rebuild mission.
But one Brit who certainly is starting to be more consistent is Jack Draper. Albeit he surged through in a walkover against a tough opener on paper in Zhizhen Zhang.
It was a 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 win through walk-over for him. He dominated from the off. A single break was enough for the first set. Before a run of 11 games in a row ended the contest. Zhang called time on the match halfway through the third set when struggling with a left knee issue. He now faces Facundo Diaz Acosta with Carlos Alcaraz likely looming in the third round.