US Open 2024: Andrey Rublev completes four-hour comeback as Alexander Zverev battles past Alexandre Muller in round two
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Updated 28/08/2024 at 23:45 GMT+1
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Alexander Zverev fought back in a tense second-set tiebreak to get past Alexandre Muller and book a third-round tie against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. In tough conditions, the German eventually broke his opponent's resolve to round out the straight-sets victory with a 29-minute third. Later, Andrey Rublev sealed an astonishing comeback victory against Arthur Rinderknech after more than four hours.
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Andrey Rublev required four hours and nine minutes to mount an incredible five-set comeback against Arthur Rinderknech.
The sixth seed found himself on the brink of elimination at two sets down, but an injury to his opponent's right arm opened the door for the Russian.
In the end, it was a fightback that almost seemed inevitable, with a laboured Rinderknech failing to break in the final three sets.
Eventually, the 26-year-old rattled in consecutive aces to serve out the match 4-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 6-2 and book a third-round clash with Jiri Lehecka.
Earlier, Alexander Zverev insisted he is back to enjoying his tennis again after battling past Alexandre Muller 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1.
The German was embroiled in a tense second-set tiebreak that looked for all the world to be heading the way of his opponent.
But Zverev rattled off five points in a row to give himself an advantage he was not likely to relinquish.
The 27-year-old appears well and truly back to his best, a far cry from his nadir at the 2022 French Open, when he was wheeled off court having torn all three lateral ligaments in his ankle.
"Two and a half years ago, when I got injured at the French Open, I didn't know when I was ever going to be back playing at this level," said Zverev post-match.
"I had so many doubts in my mind and question marks whether I was ever going to be top 10, top five in the world.
"And to be honest, what changed is I'm enjoying every single moment on these beautiful courts in front of thousands of fans.
"That was something that was taken away from me two and a half years ago and I'm extremely glad to be playing at this level. I go into these kind of tournaments with the mindset to win."
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A swift first set was on the cards for the German, as he broke Muller at the first time of asking and followed that up with a maiden love-hold.
But a mid-set slump, in which Zverev was seen pricking his finger to test his blood sugar levels, gave Muller a route back.
The fourth seed could only manage a single point on his serve in a worrying sixth game, but won back his advantage with a crucial break at 4-4.
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After Zverev comfortably wrapped up the set on his serve, a mammoth second went all the way on serve as Muller survived four break points to take it to a tiebreak.
And the Frenchman looked to be heading to an equal match, but Zverev had other ideas at 5-2 down and closed out five points in a row to snatch a two-set lead.
"I thought he played some amazing tennis, especially in the second set," admitted Zverev post-match. "I thought he was actually the better player than me.
"I fought, I found a way and I'm happy to do be done in three sets and to have some rest. It's very tough conditions, very hot today."
Muller's spirit appeared to be broken after that missed opportunity, as Zverev captured two breaks to wrap up the final set in just 29 minutes.
Elsewhere, Tomas Martin Etcheverry came through a dramatic second round clash with compatriot and 29th seed Francisco Cerundolo.
With neither player able to string two sets together, it was the world No. 33 who smashed in 23 aces to defeat Cerundolo 6-3 4-6 6-4 1-6 6-3.
An indifferent fourth set was rescued by Etcheverry, whose prize is a third round clash with Zverev.
Jiri Lehecka survived a huge scare against home favourite and qualifier Mitchell Krueger, coming back from two sets down to reach a career-best third round.
Losing the second set without winning a game, something miraculous was needed and the 32nd seed produced exactly that.
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Consecutive 6-4 wins for the Czech put him on the brink of an astonishing fightback, which was sealed in a dramatic 7-5 fifth set.
France's Ugo Humbert was not so fortunate in his duel with Francisco Comesana, as the 17th seed was knocked out, despite edging the first set 7-5.
A string of three 6-4 set wins earned the Argentinian a match against the winner of Matteo Berrettini and Taylor Fritz, who play later on Wednesday night.
There was no such drama for Grigor Dimitrov as the Bulgarian made light work of Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, 6-1 6-1 7-6(4).
The ninth seed will face world No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor, who was the beneficiary of Sebastian Baez's retirement midway through the second set.
And Frances Tiafoe also progressed without completing his match, as Alexander Shevchenko pulled out two sets and a game down.
Ben Shelton will be Tiafoe's opponent in the third round, after his straight sets victory over Roberto Bautista, a feat that Australian Alexei Popyrin also managed in his battle with Pedro Martinez.
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