France's Arthur Gea was one point away from being the first lucky loser to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final - but three hours later he was out of the US Open.
Gea, 22, was unable to convert a match point in a third-set tie-break against Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp, then could not serve out victory in the fourth set of a gruelling fourth-round contest.
Van de Zandschulp took full advantage to escape from the jaws of defeat, going on to secure a 3-6 6-7 (0-7) 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win after five hours and 13 minutes - the fourth longest match on record at Flushing Meadows.
World number 87 Gea was not ranked high enough for the main draw when the US Open entry list was finalised, meaning he had to go through qualifying instead.
Seeded first, he lost to American Nishesh Basavareddy in the third and final round but earned a reprieve when 2022 finalist Casper Ruud withdrew injured on the eve of the tournament.
#zandschulp #round
Gea, 22, was unable to convert a match point in a third-set tie-break against Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp, then could not serve out victory in the fourth set of a gruelling fourth-round contest.
Van de Zandschulp took full advantage to escape from the jaws of defeat, going on to secure a 3-6 6-7 (0-7) 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win after five hours and 13 minutes - the fourth longest match on record at Flushing Meadows.
World number 87 Gea was not ranked high enough for the main draw when the US Open entry list was finalised, meaning he had to go through qualifying instead.
Seeded first, he lost to American Nishesh Basavareddy in the third and final round but earned a reprieve when 2022 finalist Casper Ruud withdrew injured on the eve of the tournament.
#zandschulp #round
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