Shelby in tears after 213 minutes

– After playing the longest women’s match in US Open history, winner Shelby Rogers wept tears of joy on Thursday and loser Daria Gavrilova felt like she had wasted an afternoon.

After a record three hours and 33 minutes, 62nd-ranked American Rogers (above) outlasted Russian-born Australian 25th seed Gavrilova 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) on a fifth match point in a final set that lasted 90 minutes.

“That’s pretty cool, setting records today,” Rogers said.

“I didn’t feel like it was the longest match ever, but it’s starting to set in a bit now. Going to be sore.”

Their second-round encounter on Court 10 went past the previous longest match on the New York hardcourts, the three hours and 23 minutes it took British qualifier Johanna Konta to defeat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 in the second round in 2015.

Rogers advanced to a thirdround clash today against Ukraine’s fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina for a spot in the last-16.

Gavrilova was frustrated at losing a match she led 4-2 in the third set.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” she said. “It feels like I played 3 1/2 hours for nothing.”

But the Aussie said it was nice she found a spot in the US Open record books.

“It was always going to be me,” she said. “I was always going to be in the records for the longest match somewhere. I’m not surprised.”

Gavrilova won her first WTA title last week in New Haven just ahead of the US Open, so had a somewhat upbeat attitude.

“I’m positive. It’s still a great hardcourt series because I ended up winning my first title,” she said. “I’m proud for my effort and hanging in there mentally.” – AFP