Catch up on our Day 5 coverage as the U.S. Open continued at Flushing Meadows, N.Y. The Athletic Live TeamSeptember 6, 2026 at 9:26 AM EDTAlexander Zverev got it done in the end against Quentin Halys. Getty ImagesU.S. Open Day 5 — RecapThe U.S. Open had another late finish on Arthur Ashe as Day 5 concluded well after 2 a.m. at Flushing Meadows.That was due to men’s No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev, who was taken to five sets for the second time in two matches. This time he came through against Quentin Halys. Coco Gauff (4) reached the third round after an excellent straight-sets win over Paula Badosa, with No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina soon joining her.Others to advance earlier included Iga Świątek (8), Naomi Osaka (13), Taylor Fritz (9) and Madison Keys (22) who saved five match points before winning a final-set tiebreak.However, Félix Auger-Aliassime (3) and Alex de Minaur (6) suffered shock exits. You can check out all today’s results here.Watch or listen to The Tennis PodcastGet involved in the Discuss tab or email us: live@theathletic.comSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementAnd with that, it’s all eyes on the start of the third round in the men’s and women’s singles — which will get going at 11 a.m. ET across the grounds and from 11:30 a.m. ET on Arthur Ashe.I was going to say tomorrow but of course, we’re talking barely eight hours from now. So we’d better all get some sleep in the meantime! And when the action resumes, we’ll be right here to bring you all the key storylines, context and analysis. See you then. With the action finished for today, The Tennis Podcast crew will have hit record on their Day 5 debrief.Make sure you check out the links here to take in their breakdown as the second round wrapped up in New York. Zverev lives another day Getty ImagesWell then, we lost a couple of big men’s seeds today but the No. 1 seed wasn’t one of them.Will two matches like that have emptied the legs a little too much for Alexander Zverev? We will see.World No. 28 Alejandro Talibo is next in the third round.I’ll let you decide if this was a dig — but Alexander Zverev was also asked to say thanks to the crowd that stayed on inside Arthur Ashe …💬 “Yep, thank you, guys. The energy was insane. The couple of thousand people that stayed made up for the other 15,000 that left, so it was amazing.”And finally, how does it feel to be called out onto the court at this major as the No. 1 seed — the first time he has been so at a Grand Slam?💬 “Well, it’s great until you almost lose every single time! No, it’s special but I’ve said it before, it doesn’t matter who or what seeding you are, it matters who is at the end of the draw. And I’m crawling towards that. I’m still in it. I’m still there and hopefully I can give you another great show in two days’ time.”Zverev hoping his levels will turn Getty ImagesFirst up, Alexander Zverev was asked to sum up his match and performance …💬 “Well, the performance was quite s--- to be honest, but I won! And that’s the most important thing. “Another four and a half hours, 2:15 a.m. again … but that’s what I go to the gym for, what I train for, to be able to come out on top in these difficult moments when you’re not playing your best.“I hope at some point I’ll start playing better, but for now I’m happy to be in the third round.”SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementFair play. Alexander Zverev is both self-deprecating and humorous in his post-match interview on court!Quotes on the way next.Zverev wins it in five — again! Getty ImagesZverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 HalysThere it is! Two break and match points, the first is into the net off a stinging return and Alexander Zverev gets it down against Quentin Halys.The shirt comes off immediately in celebration. That’s a booking (in soccer).5th set: Zverev 5-3* HalysThe first point on Zverev’s new racket ends with him volleying into the net when the entire court was at his mercy.And ominous start but it is soon forgotten as Halys finally starts to look leggy.A hold to 15 and the No. 1 seed is one game away. Halys serving now to stay in the match. ‘Where’s my racket?!’5th set: Zverev *4-3 HalysZverev holds to 30 and then wonders where his next freshly strung racket is. It’s been 45 minutes he says, before complaining about no one being on time.He really has been a pretty grumpy sight throughout this match, the No. 1 seed.He asks for the racket to be brought to him even during the game if it’s ready, and now he’s losing points on Halys’ serve, you can imagine what he’s now blaming that on. Anyway, Halys holds comfortably and Zverev remains a break up with two games to win this match.And here comes the racket. No word of a thank you from Zverev, mind.Zverev gets the break! Getty Images5th set: Zverev *3-2 HalysA poor shot from Halys at 15-30 gifts Zverev a couple of break points. The first is well saved thanks to his power off the second serve.But the second sees Halys net after a punchy return from the No. 1 seed.And that is the break in the fifth set. Zverev’s path to victory is now clear, if he can take it. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement5th set: Zverev 2-2* HalysThere isn’t a huge crowd inside Arthur Ashe now, as you’d expect for coming up to 2 a.m. at Flushing Meadows.It is clear that there are more shouts for Halys when he makes a breakthrough, than when Zverev does likewise.A quick hold for Zverev and now he senses an opportunity on the Halys serve.Plenty still to play for5th set: Zverev *1-2 HalysHalys still gesturing and celebrating points when the moment arises, and getting to 40-30 is one of those.He gets his second serve in and serves out the hold as the players retake their seats. Having felt like Halys’ chances were lacking Lorenzo Sonego’s energy and enthusiasm early in this match, it’s now clear he is looking calm, composed and able to push Zverev here in a way that maybe Sonego couldn’t.We will see. Getty Images5th set: Zverev 1-1* HalysQuentin Halys has to deal with a few visits to deuce on his opening service game — as well as the distracting noise of the Arthur Ashe roof closing.But he rides out both.The latter has long disappeared by the time Alexander Zverev is serving, and he holds relatively comfortably too.Competitive start to the deciding set. Time to close the roofZverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 0-0* HalysThere are a lot of people being told to hurry, as officials decide to close the roof on Arthur Ashe to avoid any potential rain showers interrupting the deciding set.Neither player is allowed a bathroom break either.But it looks like the players are both out and the roof will now close while this set is in progress.You can hear the buzz of it closing above. That must be pretty distracting!Quentin Halys to serve first.Halys forces us to five!Zverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 0-0* HalysThe first is saved at the net by Alexander Zverev on serve, but the next two are the big ones as Quentin Halys serves to take this to a fifth set.The first serve is fired down the middle, Zverev goes long off the return and we are going into a fifth set with the No. 1 seed once again.I don’t believe it!SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementSet points for Halys Getty ImagesZverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-6 (*2-6) HalysSecond serve, Zverev rallies into the net and it’s four set points for Halys.Zverev isn’t happy out there right now. Zverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-6 (2-4*) HalysA drifting forehand is sloppy from Zverev and Halys’ belief hits the roof.A few people inside Arthur Ashe want another set too.The Frenchman holds the advantage at the changeover.A better start from Halys Getty ImagesZverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-6 (*1-3) HalysQuentin Halys has a hot forehand right now, and Alexander Zverev can’t get near it.This feels a little different to the previous tiebreak, as Halys gets a foothold at 2-1 and Zverev is clearly getting a little frustrated with whatever is going on in the stands behind him as he prepares to serve.Halys likes the look of this, I think.Zverev 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-6 (*0-0) HalysAnd so does Halys, to love!Into the tiebreak we head.