Dan Evans has secured the longest match in U.S. Open history since the introduction of tiebreakers in 1970, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Evans, who trailed 4-0 in the fifth set, came back to win the final six games. The match concluded with a 22-shot rally, during which Evans, mostly on the defensive, delivered a decisive shot to the corner that Khachanov, seeded No. 23, could not return.
The previous record for the longest U.S. Open match was set at 5 hours and 26 minutes, when Stefan Edberg defeated Michael Chang in the 1992 semifinals.
Evans extended his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 5-0. The match included sets that lasted 68, 67, 72, 67, and 61 minutes.
The British player, who competed in doubles with Andy Murray at the Olympics during Murray’s final tournament, finished with a 201-191 edge in total points. Evans will advance to the second round to face Mariano Navone of Argentina.
