China’s Zheng Qinwen reached the US Open quarter-finals at 02:15am on Monday in a record late finish for a women’s match at the tournament.
Seventh-seed Zheng defeated Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-2 to beat the previous record of 02:13am from 2021, when Maria Sakkari beat Bianca Andreescu in a last-16 tie.
Zheng, who beat Vekic last month to win Olympic gold in the singles in Paris, will now face world number two Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday.
The late finish drew criticism from 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray, who said the scheduling was “amateurish” and “a total mess”, calling for the Grand Slam organisers to “sort it out”.
Speaking after the match, Zheng said: “I like to play in the night session. Here in New York it’s my first time.
“It’s two in the morning, it’s incredible. Thanks to the fans who have stayed to support me.”
Recent late finishes at the French Open and Australian Open have been criticised by players.
In January, the ATP and WTA Tours jointly brought in a new rule which means no matches can start after 11pm.
However, the ruling has not been applied to the four majors, which make their own policies.
In June, 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff, who saw her defence end on Sunday, said tennis matches finishing at 3am was “unhealthy” for players after Novak Djokovic wrapped up a five-set victory against Lorenzo Musetti at 3:07am at the French Open.
Britain’s three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray has been vocal about late finishes, having played till 4am at the Australian Open in January 2023.
Taking to X on Monday morning following Zheng’s victory, Murray wrote: “The tennis scheduling situation is a total mess. It looks so amateurish having matches going on at 2,3, 4am. Sort it out.”
