Five hours and 13 minutes: Van de Zandschulp's incredible comeback at US Open 2026

Botic van de Zandschulp produced one of the most memorable Grand Slam performances of his career. In the fourth round of the 2026 US Open, the Dutchman staged a stunning comeback against France's Arthur Gea after five hours and 13 minutes, winning 3-6, 6-7(0), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), 6-4. The match on the Grandstand court was not only the longest of this year's tournament but also the sixth match since the 2026 US Open to pass the five-hour mark. Fans at Flushing Meadows witnessed one of the most incredible comebacks in the tournament's history. Arthur Gea started like a storm. The Frenchman took the first set 6-3, then moved two sets clear by winning the second-set tie-break 7-0. When the third set went to a tie-break, Gea held a match point and was one point away from victory. However, a missed backhand volley changed everything. Van de Zandschulp capitalised on that mistake to level the tie-break at 7-7, then closed out the set with an authoritative serve and forehand combination. In the fourth-set tie-break, the Dutchman continued to play solidly in long rallies and won it 7-3. The deciding set saw Van de Zandschulp take control, breaking serve in the fifth game and protecting his advantage until the finish to complete a 6-4 victory. "For me, I was looking for my form. Haven't found it yet, but hopefully in a couple of days I find it. It's been a crazy comeback. Five hours and almost 15 minutes. Still standing, so that's a good thing," Van de Zandschulp said after the match. The victory helped Van de Zandschulp reach the US Open quarter-finals for only the second time in his career, following his first appearance in 2026. Back then, he was one of the tournament's surprises, coming through qualifying to make a deep run. Unlike 2026, this time he advanced through a gruelling physical and mental battle. Arthur Gea's performance was also admirable. The defeat will be a valuable lesson for the young Frenchman about managing decisive moments. In US Open history since 2026, only four matches have lasted longer, and 2026 has seen the sixth match to cross the five-hour mark. That shows the balance and drama at this fast hard-court Grand Slam rarely lead to such fierce endurance battles. However, it was the baseline play of both players and their powerful serving that created this rare marathon. From a tactical standpoint, Van de Zandschulp changed his return position in the third set. Instead of standing deep to handle Gea's powerful serves, he moved inside the court, shortened the rhythm of rallies and forced his opponent into constant movement. Gea lost sharpness at key moments, especially on serve early in the fifth set. Statistics do not tell the whole story, but looking at the crucial games in the deciding sets, the difference was mental resilience under pressure. For Vietnamese tennis fans, this match is also a reminder of the value of patience. In professional sports, victory does not always come from flashy shots at the beginning. Sometimes it comes from accepting a slow start, adjusting tactics gradually, and beating the opponent with stamina and willpower. Van de Zandschulp may not be the most talked-about player at the tournament, but his performance is an inspiring example for young players not to give up when facing desperate situations. Van de Zandschulp will now move into the quarter-finals. His opponent has yet to be determined at the time of writing, but he will certainly gain great confidence from a comeback lasting more than five hours. Arthur Gea may feel disappointment, but his performance at this year's US Open suggests a promising future on the ATP Tour.