Tommy Paul and Nuno Borges played another classic marathon match after midnight at the US Open. The match lasted until the early hours of Friday, with the American tennis player eventually eliminating the Portuguese after 3-2 (7:6(6), 6:3, 5:7, 5:7, 7:5).
It was the 17th-latest match in the history of the “major” tournament and the second-latest to end in the second round.
“It was great. It was an emotional roller coaster, for sure. Of course I’m happy with the win, as much as it cost me in terms of effort”, said Tommy Paul, who will face 23rd-seeded Alexander Bublik in the third round.
Tommy Paul won the first two sets and had several match points to finish in three sets. Instead, he lost the third and fourth sets and was equalized in the fifth after leading 3:0. The 14th-seeded American broke Nuno Borges for the final time in a hard-fought 12th game to secure the win and the final point of the match.
The match, which began Thursday night on Arthur Ashe Center Court, lasted 4 hours and 25 minutes, ending at 1:46 a.m. local time. Tommy Paul thanked the fans in the stands for helping him through, and wished more of them were closer to the court.
“I think they should open it up so people in the upper rows can come down. I don’t know why they don’t”, said Tommy Paul.
