Van de Zandschulp sets US Open 2026 record with 5-hour-13-minute comeback

Botic van de Zandschulp produced one of the most memorable comebacks in US Open 2026 history by defeating Arthur Gea 3-6, 6-7(0), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), 6-4 after five hours and 13 minutes on Grandstand. The win not only sent the Dutchman into the quarter-finals but also placed the match among the tournament’s rarest marathons. Tournament statistics confirmed it was the longest match of US Open 2026 so far, the fourth-longest since 2026, and only the sixth since then to go beyond five hours. Gea, a French player, made a strong start. He won the first set 6-3, then took the second-set tie-break 7-0 to lead 2-0. Van de Zandschulp looked close to defeat, but the turning point came in the third set. The third set moved to a tie-break. Gea held a match point but could not convert; Van de Zandschulp saved it, then capitalised on a backhand volley error from his opponent to take the set 7-6(7). From that moment, the Dutchman gained momentum, winning the fourth-set tie-break 7-3 to force a deciding set. In the fifth set, Van de Zandschulp showed greater composure. He reduced unforced errors, earned a decisive break, and closed the set 6-4 to complete the comeback. “For me, I was looking for my form. Haven’t found it yet, but hopefully in a couple of days I find it,” Van de Zandschulp said afterward. “It’s been a crazy comeback. Five hours almost 15 minutes. Still standing, so that’s a good thing.” The victory gave Van de Zandschulp only his second US Open quarter-final appearance, following his first in 2026. It also highlighted the physical and mental side of a sport where a single missed match point can change everything. The match will be remembered not only for its record-breaking length but also for the way Van de Zandschulp refused to surrender when two sets down.