Top seed Alexander Zverev ousted Alejandro Tabilo, 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2, in third-round action at the 2026 US Open on Saturday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Zverev, from Germany, was coming off two marathon five-set matches which both ended in the wee hours of the New York City night. But he made relatively quick work of Chile’s Tabilo, the No. 25 seed, with a workmanlike performance that accomplished his goal: survive and advance.
There were some scratchy moments for Zverev in the second set, but the reigning Roland Garros champion came through when it counted to deny Tabilo two set points.
No doubt the motivation to get off the court quickly was prominent in Zverev’s mind. After taking nine hours and 26 minutes to win his first two matches, he brushed aside Tabilo in 2:26.
Zverev won this first set as if he was double-parked. He mowed through Tabilo by securing two service breaks for a 6-2 verdict in 38 minutes. Maybe the pre-match chat with his team steered him in the right direction.
“My coach said just because it’s a five-set match, it doesn’t mean you have to play five sets,’’ joked Zverev, who had 44 winners to Tabilo’s 24. “I didn’t know that until today, so that was quite helpful.”
When Zverev bolted to a 4-2 lead in the second set, it appeared Tabilo was headed to an early shower. But Zverev went passive, dialed down the power on his strokes and not only let Tabilo back in the match, but at one point faced two set points.
Maybe it was his compromised preparation that allowed his mind and game to go on a walkabout: “Well I didn’t practice much yesterday, to be fair,’’ he said. “I only practiced for an hour, which is very little for me. But I spent nine hours on the court in two matches, so I had to find my rhythm somehow and I’m happy that I did.’’
He regained his focus and went back to work.
Zverev, who converted six of 13 break chances, got to a second-set tiebreak, and while it started with five mini-breaks, he put the pedal down for a 7-2 decision.
He scored two more breaks in the third set, and what do you know, Zverev was finished before the roosters started crowing.
“I said it last match, and even though today was just three sets, it was a great atmosphere,’’ Zverev said. “I think two nights ago it was really a tough battle, deep into the night... and the crowd was still on fire, the crowd was amazing and that is what we appreciate.
“That is what makes it fun to play inside these beautiful stadium courts.”
And with that, the midnight-plus rambler was off to the fourth round. Just a reminder that while Zverev’s matches often compromise others’ rest, his rivals better not sleep on him.
WHAT IT MEANS
With the match clocking in well under three hours, it could give Zverev quite a boost. While he will say otherwise, the toll from his first two outings was evident at times, and that is perfectly understandable. That he could still stand after those two late-night tests is a testament to his fitness level and mental strength.
But going into the second week, the last thing Zverev needed was another lengthy match. He can get his legs back under him for the time of the tournament when the rubber hits the road.
“I’m definitely happy with the improvement, happy that my level is going in the right direction for the second week,’’ he said. “I think from the back of the court it was definitely much better. I still think I can play better.’’
On deck for Zverev is Italy’s Luciano Darderi, the No. 21 seed, and they’ve split their previous two pairings, both of which came at the Italian Open. In May, Darderi defeated Zverev by a wacky score, 1-6, 7-6(10), 6-0. Zverev got the better of Darderi in Rome in 2024, 7-6(3), 6-2.
MATCH POINT
Boom Boom Becker would be proud! Zverev leads the ATP Tour in singles match wins (49) and Grand Slam wins (21) this year, becoming the second German man in history to record 20 Grand Slam triumphs in a season, joining Boris Becker. He did it twice, in 1989 (22) and 1991 (20).
