Latest-starting match in US Open history finally begins after midnight

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest-starting match in U.S. Open history began shortly after midnight Saturday morning, with No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka facing No. 29 Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The previous latest start to a match was exactly at midnight on Sept. 2, 1987, with Gabriela Sabatini going on to beat Beverly Bowes 6-3, 6-3.

The night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium began more than an hour after its usual 7 p.m. starting time following Frances Tiafoe’s victory over Ben Shelton in the afternoon that lasted 4 hours, 3 minutes.

Sabalenka and Alexandrova then finally got on the court after defending champion Novak Djokovic was shocked by No. 28 seed Alexei Popyrin in four sets.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis