In the annals of tennis history, some matches stand out not just for the skill displayed on the court but also for the sheer determination and endurance showcased by the players. The US Open, one of tennis’s most prestigious Grand Slam events, has long been the stage for unforgettable battles. The tournament demands exceptional skill and unparalleled stamina due to its electrifying atmosphere, and hot and humid conditions.
Over the years, players have pushed the boundaries of endurance, delivering marathon matches that stretch the limits of human performance. From early-round classics to gripping finals, these contests have left fans on the edge. These epic battles have left fans in awe of the players’ stamina and resilience, proving that tennis is a game of skill and a test of mental and physical fortitude. Below, we recount the five longest matches in US Open history.
Here are the 5 longest US Open matches
5. Andy Murray defeats Novak Djokovic- 2012 final
The 2012 US Open final was a battle of wills between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Lasting 4 hours and 54 minutes, Murray emerged victorious with a 7–6(10), 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2 scoreline. The win marked Murray’s first Grand Slam title and ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion.
The match showcased Murray’s tactical brilliance and Djokovic’s relentless fight, cementing it as one of the tournament’s most memorable finals. He became one of the few players to win the Olympic Singles Gold medal and the US Open title in the same season. The British won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and beat Djokovic.
4. Sargis Sargsian defeats Nicolas Massu – 2004 Round 2
In the second round of the 2004 US Open, Sargis Sargsian and Nicolas Massu played a five-set thriller that spanned 5 hours and 9 minutes. Sargsian, known for his grit, edged out Massu with a 6–7(6), 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(6), 6–4 victory.
The great thing about this match is that Sargsian was down in the scoreline for most of this match. Massu was either in ascendency or on equal terms as he found himself two sets to one up. The Chilean came into this match after winning the Olympic Singles Gold medal at Athens but couldn’t build on his momentum at Flushing Meadows.
3. Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner – 2022 Quarter-finals
By 2022, the tennis world was already talking about the building up the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. With the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry ending at the Laver Cup, everyone expected this young tennis duo to take the torch from the two tennis giants.
At the 2022 US Open, the tennis fraternity saw more than flashes of what this rivalry can bring. The 2022 US Open quarter-final between Alcaraz and Sinner was a modern classic. Spanning 5 hours and 15 minutes, Alcaraz prevailed 6–3, 6–7(7), 6–7(0), 7–5, 6–3 in a match that ended past 2 a.m. The clash of two rising stars delivered breathtaking rallies and relentless intensity. Alcaraz went on to win the tournament and finished the season as the youngest World No.1 in history.
Related: Top 7 Longest French Open matches of all time
2. Stefan Edberg defeats Michael Chang – 1992 Semi-final
Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang delivered a masterclass in endurance during the 1992 US Open semi-finals. The 5-hour-and-26-minute contest saw Edberg outlast Chang 6–7(3), 7–5, 7–6(3), 5–7, 6–4 in a riveting battle of contrasting styles. Edberg’s serve-and-volley tactics clashed with Chang’s counterpunching, producing one of the most captivating matches in the tournament’s history. Edberg eventually went on to win the title.
1. Daniel Evans defeats Karen Khachanov – 2024 Round 1
The second day of the 2024 US Open kicked off in the best way possible as Daniel Evans and Karen Khachanov brought themselves to the history books of men’s tennis. The first-round showdown between Evans and Khachanov lasted an astonishing 5 hours and 35 minutes. In a grueling five-setter, Evans triumphed 6–4, 5–7, 6–7(6), 7–6(8), 7–5. The match generated further headlines because the third set lasted 72 minutes, a record.
Evans extended his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 5-0. He also maintained his record of not losing in the first round at Flushing Meadows. Just a few months after Andy Murray’s retirement at the Paris Olympics, Great Britain had some news to cherish from the tennis world.
