IT was the longest match of the tournament thus far, but Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics will not mind, emerging victorious over highly fancied 13th seed, Grigor Dimitrov. The unseeded Hungarian has enjoyed a promising year in 2020, and that form continued with a 6-7 7-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 win in what took four hours and 50 minutes. What is even more remarkable is that the four-hour mark was breached whilst still in the fourth set. If the underdog had not won the fifth 6-1, it may well have surpassed five hours on court easily.

The world number 66 had to win almost 200 points (197) in the epic match, covering 5.6km on court, with Dimitrov not far behind with 5.5km in that time. It was his serve hat held him in good stead, with Fucsovics winning 67 per cent off his first serve, but crucially, 58 per cent off his second serve. He was also to able capitalise off Dimitrov’s second serve, with a 55 per cent success rate. Both players looked comfortable at the net, and while the Bulgarian was able to still play his power game – hitting 59 winners to 40 – he also made a lot more errors (74-54).

Fucsovics will now want to rest up ahead of a huge third round clash with American Frances Tiafoe. The inconsistent talent held off a determined John Millman to win in five sets, 7-6 3-6 1-6 6-3 6-3 to come from two sets to one down in three hours and 57 minutes. The Australian can consider himself incredibly unlucky, having won 11 more points for the match, hitting six more winners and 19 less unforced errors, as well as having a higher winning percentage on his first and second serves, more aces, less double faults and one more break point. But Tiafoe found a way to win with the world number 82 needing the full match length to finally get it done.

Also through to the next round in the same block is another American, in wildcard J.J Wolf who defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 6-4 6-3, heading into the Round of 32 to take on red-hot third seed, Daniil Medvedev. The Russian had no issues defeating the hard working Chris O’Connell 6-3 6-2 6-4 and is red-hot favourite to move through to a quarter final given the 66th ranked Fucsovics is the top ranked player outside the world number four in the section.

Also through to the Round of 16 to set up a huge clash were Matteo Berrettini and Casper Ruud. The sixth seed Italian won 6-4 6-4 7-6 over emerging Frenchman Ugo Humbert, while Ruud toppled Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-3 3-2 with the latter retiring midway through the third set. Finally, it was Russian Andrey Rublev who took care of Gregoire Barrere 6-2 6-4 7-6 to advance through to the third round and face Salvatore Caruso. The Italian won against late inclusion, Ernesto Escobedo 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 to move into the Round of 16.

Down the bottom of the half, second seed  and birthday boy Dominic Thiem skipped passed Indian talent Sumit Nagal 6-3 6-3 6-2, and has his sights set on former US Open winner, Marin Cilic. The Croatian was far from his best, dropping a set but eventually getting the better of Slovenian Norbert Gombos in his match, 6-3 1-6 7-6 7-5 in some tense moments for the talent tall. Thiem turned 27 today, making for a memorable birthday and taking just the two hours to record a win over the 124th ranked Indian.

“I was playing well today,” Thiem said post-match. “I had a good plan for the match. “He’s very dangerous when he can dictate with his forehand. “I was exactly trying to avoid that.” He also has very, very fast legs… I was trying to play my fastest tennis to keep him on the backhand, to not let him dictate with the forehand. “I did that very well today.

“I think the only bad game he played was at 4-3 to me, in the first set, where he kind of came back into the match after he broke me, then he did some unforced errors. “Besides that, I think it was a good match on a quite good level. “I’m happy to be through in straight sets.”

On hearing that he will now face the 2014 US Open winner, the Austrian world number three said he would not take him lightly, declaring him one of the best players of the past 10 years.

“He’s one of the big champions of the last decade, one of the very few active players, who won a Grand Slam tournament here in New York,” Thiem said. “Even though, for sure, he’s not on the top of his game, he’s always dangerous for a deep run in these big tournaments. “He’s not a guy I want to face in the third round as he’s a former champion.” On a good day, he can beat anybody. “It’s going to be a real tough one.”

The other major upset was in the all-Canadian battle between Vasek Pospisil and 25th seed Milos Raonic. The lower ranked compatriot tumbled out the North American danger man, in a 6-7 6-3 7-6 6-3 triumph to set up a date with eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the Round of 16. Also through was Australian Alex de Minaur who now takes on another up and comer in Russian 11th seed, Karen Khachanov. The Australian won 6-4 6-3 6-7 7-5 against French veteran Richard Gasquet, while Khachanov saw past his compatriot Andrey Kuznetsov, 6-3 6-4 6-1.

In the remaining two matches, 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was in control of his match under the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium against Brit Andy Murray, leading the Grand Slam winner and taking out a three set victory. Auger-Aliassime will play the victor of Corentin Moutet and Daniel Evans, with that clash postponed due to rain.

Picture: USTA