Dan Evans Stages Epic Comeback in Longest US Open Match to Defeat Karen Khachanov

In an extraordinary display of grit and determination, Britain's Dan Evans orchestrated a stunning comeback to win the longest match in US Open history, overcoming Russia's Karen Khachanov in a marathon encounter that lasted five hours and 35 minutes. The 34-year-old Evans, who was trailing 4-0 in the deciding set, summoned every ounce of mental and physical strength to clinch a remarkable 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-4 victory on an electric day at Flushing Meadows.

The match, which will go down as one of the most grueling in the tournament’s history, saw Evans fend off multiple challenges, including a daunting deficit in the fifth set. Despite being down and seemingly out, Evans refused to concede, digging deep to mount an astonishing rally that left both the crowd and his opponent in disbelief.

Khachanov, the 23rd seed, looked poised to close out the match as he raced to a 4-0 lead in the final set. However, Evans, known for his tenacity, clawed his way back, breaking Khachanov's serve twice to level the score and then surge ahead. The tension reached its peak in the final moments as Khachanov saved two match points, only to see his hopes dashed when he netted a return on the third.

As the final point was won, Evans broke into a wide smile before collapsing into his chair, utterly exhausted but elated. The crowd, who had been on the edge of their seats throughout the contest, rose to give both players a well-deserved standing ovation, acknowledging the incredible effort and entertainment they had witnessed.

"I just tried to keep fighting – at 4-0 I thought I was out," Evans said in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, still reeling from the epic battle. "I’ve got a bad headache now. It was a hell of a match. I just want to go to bed."

The victory marks one of the most significant of Evans' career, as he advances to the second round of the US Open, where his resilience and fighting spirit will undoubtedly make him a formidable opponent.

Earlier in the day, fellow Britons Katie Boulter and Jack Draper also secured their places in the second round, albeit in contrasting styles. Boulter, seeded 31st, shook off a shaky start to overcome Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich, winning 5-7 6-2 6-1. Draper, meanwhile, had an easier time of it as his opponent, Chinese number one Zhang Zhizhen, retired with a knee injury while trailing 6-3 6-0 4-0.

However, it was a day of mixed fortunes for British tennis, as 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu exited the tournament in the first round after a hard-fought loss to Sofia Kenin.

As Evans recovers from his historic triumph, he and his fellow Britons will look to build on their successes as the tournament progresses, with the potential for more drama and excitement still to come.