Tommy Paul Wins 4½-Hour US Open Marathon Late at Night

Paul Survives: American's Late-Night Marathon Win at the US Open

New York, August 31, 2025 – The US Open is a tournament renowned for its electric atmosphere and late-night drama, and the match between Tommy Paul and Nuno Borges on Thursday night and early Friday morning will be remembered as a classic. In a grueling, five-set epic that stretched for nearly four and a half hours, the American, Tommy Paul, emerged victorious at 1:46 a.m., winning a thrilling contest that captivated the few remaining, but dedicated, fans at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The 14th seed’s 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 7-5 victory was more than just a win; it was a testament to his mental fortitude and physical endurance. The match was an emotional rollercoaster, with Paul, who had seemingly taken control by winning the first two sets, watching as his Portuguese opponent mounted a stunning comeback to force a deciding fifth set.

A Tale of Two Halves: A Match of Unrelenting Drama

The match, which was the final fixture of the evening session, began in the relative cool of the New York night. Paul, a fan favorite and a seasoned competitor on the American hard courts, started strongly, showcasing the powerful serve and aggressive baseline game that have propelled him into the top 20 of the ATP rankings. He edged out a tightly contested first set in a tiebreak, then consolidated his lead by comfortably winning the second set.

At that point, with Paul leading by two sets to love, the match appeared to be heading for a routine conclusion. However, Nuno Borges, the 28-year-old Portuguese with a resilient spirit, had other ideas. Showing incredible fighting spirit, Borges refused to go away. He began to find his rhythm, hitting clean winners and making Paul work for every point. He broke the American’s serve in a crucial moment in the third set and carried that momentum to win the set, extending the match and breathing new life into the contest. The energy in the stadium shifted as the crowd, sensing a potential upset, rallied behind both players.

The fourth set was a mirror of the third. Borges, fueled by his comeback, played with renewed confidence. He was relentless on his forehand, dictating the rallies and forcing Paul into uncharacteristic errors. Paul, on the other hand, appeared to be struggling with the sudden shift in momentum. Despite having a few match point opportunities, he couldn’t close out the set, and Borges, playing the tennis of his life, won another late break to take the set and send the match into a deciding fifth.

The Final Act: A Test of Will and Endurance

As the clock ticked past midnight and the stadium grew quieter, the fifth set was a test of sheer willpower. Both players, exhausted from the physical and mental strain of the four-hour battle, dug deep. Paul, who had a 3-0 lead early in the set, saw Borges fight back to level the score. The match hung in the balance, with every point a miniature battle in itself. The drama reached its peak in the final games, as both players traded blows in a gripping conclusion.

Ultimately, it was Paul’s experience and big-match temperament that made the difference. With the score tied at 5-5, he managed to break Borges’s serve one final time, earning the right to serve for the match. Paul, perhaps a little more nervous than he would have liked, still managed to hold his composure. He fought off a final surge from Borges to close out the match, finally celebrating a hard-fought victory that felt more like a grand accomplishment than a simple second-round win. The final scoreline was 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 7-5.

In his on-court interview after the match, a visibly relieved and exhausted Paul reflected on the match. "It was a blast. It was an emotional rollercoaster, for sure," he said. "I'm just happy it was a win and not a loss. It's what we train for."

The Road Ahead: A Tricky Match-up with Bublik

With the marathon victory behind him, Tommy Paul now faces another tricky opponent in the third round: the 23rd-seeded Alexander Bublik. The Kazakh is known for his unpredictable style, flashy shot-making, and penchant for underhand serves. Bublik has had a good run at the US Open so far, defeating Marin Cilic and Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets. The match-up between Paul's solid, all-around game and Bublik's unorthodox, high-risk approach promises to be an entertaining affair.

While Paul will have less time to recover from his grueling match, he is no stranger to late-night matches at the US Open. His deep run to the semifinals in 2023 was built on a series of tough matches, and he has consistently shown that he can perform under pressure and with limited rest. The match against Bublik is a test of a different kind—a tactical puzzle as much as a physical battle.

The late-night finish of the Paul-Borges match has once again sparked a conversation about scheduling at the US Open. While these matches add to the lore and excitement of the tournament, they also pose significant challenges for the players, affecting their recovery and preparation for subsequent matches. For Tommy Paul, however, the win is a massive confidence booster. It's a statement that he is a fighter, a competitor who will not give up, and that he is ready to go deep into the tournament in his quest for a Grand Slam title