US Open 2026 Day 5: Zverev Survives, Iga Shines as Major Seeds Fall in Flushing Meadows

New York, September 3, 2026: Day 5 of the 2026 US Open delivered a compelling blend of dazzling victories, dramatic escapes and eye-catching upsets as the second round moved towards its conclusion at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The day belonged as much to the established stars as it did to the fearless challengers. Alexander Zverev survived another gruelling five-set battle, while Taylor Fritz produced one of the most emphatic victories of the tournament. On the women's side, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka all marched into the third round. 

Zverev survives another marathon

The most dramatic men's encounter came under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Alexander Zverev again had to summon enormous reserves of stamina and resilience.

The German defeated Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in a remarkable four-hour, 33-minute struggle. It was Zverev's second consecutive five-setter of the tournament, underlining both his fighting qualities and the physical demands of his campaign. 

Fritz produces a ruthless performance

American No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz was at the opposite end of the spectrum. He dismantled Mattia Bellucci 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, surrendering only two games in a devastating display of power and precision.

Fritz's emphatic victory earned him a fourth consecutive appearance in the US Open third round and set up an intriguing clash with Francisco Cerundolo. 

Three major men's upsets

Day 5 proved particularly punishing for several seeded players.

Karen Khachanov stunned third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Auger-Aliassime struggled physically after the first set and was unable to recover.

Sixth seed Alex de Minaur also departed after Botic van de Zandschulp produced an authoritative 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 victory.

There was another major shock when Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny defeated 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, reaching the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. 

Gauff withstands Badosa challenge

Defending champion Coco Gauff had to be at her resilient best against former world No. 2 Paula Badosa.

The fourth seed prevailed 6-4, 7-6(5) in a fiercely contested encounter. Gauff produced 21 winners against 21 unforced errors and won an impressive 57% of her second-serve points. The victory extended her remarkable run to 16 consecutive sets won and improved her record to 17 wins in her last 19 matches. 

Gauff now advances to the third round for the fifth consecutive year, where she will face Cristina Bucsa. 

Rybakina and Swiatek cruise

Second seed Elena Rybakina continued her formidable form with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Kazakh star fired seven aces, won 81% of her first-serve points and has dropped only 11 games through her opening two rounds. 

Former champion Iga Swiatek was equally impressive, dispatching Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in a clinical performance.

Osaka battles through

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka survived a turbulent contest against Katerina Siniakova, eventually winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

After letting a 4-2 advantage disappear in the second set, Osaka regrouped magnificently in the decider to reassert her authority and secure another step towards a potential title challenge. 

Keys produces the escape of the day

Perhaps the most spectacular women's comeback came from Madison Keys.

The American saved five match points, fought back from 5-2 down in the final set, and defeated Anna Bondar 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(10-5) after a pulsating two-hour, 57-minute battle.

Keys then won the final seven points of the deciding match tiebreak, turning what appeared to be a certain defeat into an extraordinary victory. 

Eala continues her breakthrough run

Philippines' Alexandra Eala continued her impressive rise with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova.

The 21-year-old left-hander, ranked 18th in the world, showed maturity and composure to avenge an earlier defeat to Oliynykova and advance to the third round. 

An emotional farewell for Monfils

Day 5 also witnessed the end of an era. American youngster Learner Tien defeated French veteran Gaël Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, bringing Monfils' Grand Slam career to a close.

The charismatic 40-year-old, a former world No. 6 and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, leaves behind a remarkable legacy of athleticism, flamboyance and crowd-pleasing tennis across a career spanning 22 years. 

Americans make history

The home contingent enjoyed an outstanding day. Fifteen Americans — eight women and seven men — reached the third round, matching the highest American total since 2002.

The eight American women equal the best figure since 2022, while seven American men represent the country's strongest showing at this stage since 2012. 

Day 5 at a glance

Player

Opponent

Result

Alexander Zverev

Quentin Halys

6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3

Taylor Fritz

Mattia Bellucci

6-0, 6-1, 6-1

Karen Khachanov

Felix Auger-Aliassime

6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Botic van de Zandschulp

Alex de Minaur

6-4, 7-5, 6-2

Dane Sweeny

Lorenzo Musetti

3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

Coco Gauff

Paula Badosa

6-4, 7-6(5)

Elena Rybakina

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro

6-2, 6-4

Iga Swiatek

Nadia Podoroska

6-3, 6-2

Naomi Osaka

Katerina Siniakova

6-2, 5-7, 6-1

Madison Keys

Anna Bondar

5-7, 6-4, 7-6(10-5)

Alexandra Eala

Oleksandra Oliynykova

6-1, 6-4

Learner Tien

Gaël Monfils

6-3, 6-4, 6-3

Overall, Day 5 dramatically reshaped the tournament. While Gauff, Rybakina, Swiatek, Osaka, Fritz and Zverev strengthened their credentials, the exits of Auger-Aliassime, De Minaur and Musetti opened significant sections of the men's draw. With the third round now upon Flushing Meadows, the competition is becoming increasingly unpredictable — and increasingly enthralling.