The match point came in the third set tiebreak on Gea’s serve. He came forward after it and van de Zandshulp went for the forehand transition. Gea took a shot and missed. He then served for the fourth match at 5-4 and didn’t hold back, losing that tie-break 7-3 before being broken once in the fifth.
At 5 hours and 13 minutes, it is the longest match in this year’s tournament and the fourth longest in US Open history, behind Daniel Evans vs. Karen Khachanov in 2024 at 5 hours and 35 minutes, Stefan Edberg vs. Michael Chang in the 1992 semifinals at 5 hours and 26 minutes, and Carlos Alcaraz at 25 hours and 25 minutes.
Van de Zandschulp returned in the last eight
This is the second Grand Slam quarterfinal for the 30-year-old and 70th-ranked van de Zandshulp and first since 2021, when he qualified here and lost to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev in four sets. He becomes the fourth Dutchman to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open more than once in the Open Era, following Tom Okker, Richard Krajicek and Sheng Schalken.
“VDZ” has come a long way twice. It was her second straight five-setter on Monday, and she came from two down to defeat Belgian No. 31 Zizou Bergs 3-6, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the third round. In the process, he beat Australian No. 6 Alex de Minaur 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 after opening against England’s Ian Choinski 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (5).
Gea, 21 and ranked No. 87, qualified as a lucky loser for the second week and leaves with his record intact. the lucky losers are now 0-13 in Grand Slam fourth rounds. A win would make him the first Frenchman to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Gael Monfils in 2019, and the youngest Frenchman to reach a major quarter-final since Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon in 2007.
He twice went through five sets, defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 and American wild card Michael Zheng 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, with American Zachary Swaida 6-2-3, 6-2, 6-2. 6-7:
US Open 2026, men’s singles, 4th round
A. Zverev (1) against L. Darderi (21) – Monday, Ash, 19:00 session
B. Van de Zandschulp d. A. Gea (L): 3-6, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3), 6-4.
K. Khachanov d. L. Thien (14): 7-5, 4-6, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4.
A. Blockx (28) d. F. Serundolo: 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5
F. Tiafoe (11) d. D. Medvedev (7): 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6)
A. Mitchelsen d. T. Etchveri (27): 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4
B. Shelton (8) d. S. Tsitsipas: 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
C. Alcaraz (2) d. T. Paul (20): 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
