Upon initial inspection, the Round 1 clash between Dan Evans and 23-seed Karen Khachanov seemed like just another matchup in the 2024 US Open brackets.
However, their encounter on Court 6 at Flushing Meadows turned into one of the most epic matches in tournament history, surprising everyone with its length and intensity.
Let’s delve into the details of the longest match in US Open history, where Evans and Khachanov set the record in a marathon battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
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What is the longest match in US Open history?
Evans and Khachanov engaged in a grueling five-set showdown in Queens that lasted an astounding five hours and 35 minutes, setting a new record for the longest match ever at the US Open.
Despite dropping the first set, Evans rallied to win the next two, only to see Khachanov fight back in the fourth set. The match culminated in a tense fifth set that ultimately determined the victor after over five hours of intense play.
The 34-year-old Evans emerged victorious after an intense final set, overcoming a 4-0 deficit. Ranked 184th in the world, Evans was the underdog against the higher-ranked Khachanov, but both players displayed remarkable determination and resilience throughout the match.
5 HOURS AND 35 MINUTES!!!
Take a bow, Dan Evans and Karen Khachanov 👏 pic.twitter.com/noiPnkVDGU
Each set lasted over an hour, with the third set stretching to 72 minutes. In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Evans expressed his exhaustion, saying, “I just want to go to bed,” highlighting the physical toll of the grueling match.
“I nearly blew it at the end, but I’m really happy,” he added. “It was a hell of a match.”
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Longest matches in US Open history
This epic showdown now holds the title for the longest match in US Open history, joining the ranks of other marathon matches at Flushing Meadows. Notably, the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds of this year, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, competed in the third-longest match in tournament history just two years ago.
Here are the longest matches in US Open history, according to Sportskeeda.
| Rank | Year | Matchup | Results | Time |
| 1 | 2024 | Dan Evans vs. (23) Karen Khachanov | 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4 | 5:35 |
| 2 | 1992 | (2) Stefan Edberg vs. (4) Michael Chang | 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4 | 5:26 |
| 3 | 2022 | (3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (11) Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-7 (0-7), 7-5, 6-3 | 5:15 |
| 4 | 2004 | (10) Nicolas Massu vs. Sargis Sargsian | 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 4-6 | 5:04 |
| 5 | 1992 | (9) Ivan Lendl vs. (7) Boris Becker | 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-4 | 5:01 |
| 6 | 2016 | (30) Gilles Simon vs. Paolo Lorenzi | 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (3-7) | 4:58 |