British tennis star Dan Evans has won the longest match in US Open history with a 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-4 victory over Karen Khachanov.
Evans was remarkably 4-0 down in the fifth and final set but the world No.184 came roaring back to register a sensational victory over the 23rd-seed in an incredible marathon that lasted five hours and 35 minutes on Court 6.
It capped off a fine day at Flushing Meadows for the Brits – with British No.1 Jack Draper also cruising into the second round of the men’s singles – while in the women’s singles, Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart conjured up opening wins too.
Speaking after his stunning win over Russia’s Khachanov, Evans, 34, who played Olympic doubles with Andy Murray this summer, told Sky Sports: ‘I haven’t played a bunch of tennis this year.
‘I just tried to keep fighting – at 4-0 I thought I was out, I felt a little sorry for myself, got myself going and didn’t want to go out another Slam without a fight and a whimper.
‘I could see he was struggling a bit and tried to grab a game at a time. I’ve got a bad headache now!
‘I’ve had a horrible year. I knew I had put the work in but not enough because I was a bit hurt.
‘Like to think I got a bit of luck at the end, nearly blew it at the end but I’m really happy. It was a hell of the match. I just want to go to bed!
‘It was amazing at 4-2, it really started to get going. They sort of sensed it, I don’t know how many Brits were there, but It seemed like the whole place wanted me to win.
‘I don’t think that has ever happened before. It really helped. I played pretty good, great last point and here we are.’
Earlier in the day, British star Boulter defeated qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich to set up a second-round match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
‘It’s not easy coming out here to play your first round against someone who has been top 30 – she knows how to play tennis,’ Boulter said after the match.
‘I feel I came out really well but she responded quickly in the first set. I tried to reset and play a better second and third and proud I managed to stay in there and bring a good level to the court.’
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