Zverev, Rybakina reach US Open third round

Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina advanced to the third round of the US Open, although Zverev was forced into another gruelling five-set battle while Rybakina progressed in efficient fashion.

Zverev defeated France’s Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 in a 4hr 33min thriller that ended shortly. The German, who also went five sets in his opening match, has now spent nearly 10 hours on court across his first two rounds.

Zverev recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the third set before taking control in the tiebreak, but Halys levelled the match by dominating the fourth-set tiebreak. In the decider, Zverev secured the crucial break when Halys sent a forehand wide before breaking again to seal victory. He will face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo next.

Rybakina, meanwhile, made light work of Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, winning 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour.

The second seed dominated with powerful serves and deep groundstrokes and showed no apparent signs of the left heel injury that had raised concerns before the tournament. She will next meet Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva, who stunned Maria Sakkari.

Rybakina, the 2026 Australian Open champion, needs three more wins to reach the semi-finals and overtake Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings.