Zverev battles through after enduring another 2am finish

Top seed Alexander Zverev endured another gruelling five-set US Open match as he overcame Quentin Halys at 02:15 local time to reach the third round.

French Open champion Zverev is one of the favourites for the title, with world number one Jannik Sinner missing with injury and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz working his way back to fitness.

However, the German was taken to five sets in his first match and his level fluctuated wildly against world number 52 Halys on a humid evening in New York.

An exhausted Zverev raised his arms aloft after completing a 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 win in four hours and 33 minutes.

"I hope at some point I'll start playing better," Zverev said afterwards.

"It's great to be announced as the top seed on this court until you almost lose every time."

The 29-year-old is the first top seed in the Open era to play two five-set matches in the first two rounds of a major.

World number two Zverev faces another late night of recovery, having not gone to sleep until 5am on Wednesday morning after dhis victory over Lorenzo Sonego.