Dan Evans pulls off epic comeback in US Open’s longest match in history

The US Open is a tennis tournament rich in history and last night (27 August), a new chapter was added.

Britain’s Dan Evans pulled off an epic first-round comeback against Karen Khachanov in a match that lasted five hours and 35 minutes.

The five-set encounter is now the longest match in US Open’s 124-year history, eclipsing the previous record of five hours, 26 minutes, when Stefan Edberg beat Michael Chang in the 1992 semi-finals.

Evans came into this clash in a bid to end his ten-match tour losing streak, but when he was 4-0 down in the second set, it looked as though he was destined for an 11th defeat.

Incredibly, the 34-year-old turned his fortunes around to beat the 23rd seed emphatically, winning 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the blistering heat.

Both competitors were subject to a standing ovation at Flushing Meadows for their incredible efforts on the court.

“I just tried to keep fighting, at 4-0 I thought I was out,” he told Sky Sports.

“I felt a little sorry for myself, but I didn’t want to go out from another slam without a fight and with a whimper.

“I just tried to grab one game at a time; it was a hell of a match. I just wanted to go to bed.”

Evans will face Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the second round on Thursday, 29 August.