Daniel Evans overcame a 0-4 deficit in the final set to secure a victory against Karen Khachanov in what became the longest match in US Open history, lasting five hours and 35 minutes on court six. In an energetic showdown, Evans triumphed over the Russian 23rd seed with scores of 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-4. “It was a prolonged struggle,” admitted Evans. He mentioned that both players faced physical challenges, yet managed to perform well. Ultimately, stamina determines the winner.
This match surpassed the previous record set by Stefan Edberg, who defeated Michael Chang in a 1992 semi-final lasting five hours and 26 minutes. Despite an early advantage, Khachanov failed to capitalize on four break points in the decisive set. Evans, inspired by the supportive crowd, gradually regained ground.
Reflecting on his resilience, Evans shared, “From childhood, you’re taught to persevere till the end.” This approach has marked his career and proved advantageous in this match. Notably, each set extended beyond an hour, with the third lasting 72 minutes.
2024 witnessed other remarkable comebacks by Evans, including with Andy Murray at the Paris Olympics, where they survived seven match points in two consecutive rounds. Although he skipped defending his 2023 ATP title in Washington to compete in Paris, resulting in a drop in rankings, Evans expressed immense pride in his performance. Despite a challenging year, he remains hopeful and plans to rest after this gruelling match.
