2021's Longest Matches November 22, 2021

Marathon Marvels 2021: The longest matches of the year

42 WTA main draw matches clocked in at three hours or more during 2021. They included three of the eight longest matches of the Open Era, the joint two longest US Open matches in history, the longest Roland Garros semifinal ever and the longest Indian Wells women's final.

Kristina Kucova d. [Q] Ekaterine Gorgodze 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), Gdynia QF (3h55m). Kucova saved four match points in the second set en route to victory in the 6th longest match of the Open Era, and went on to reach her first WTA final. — 01 /42

Kristina Kucova d. [Q] Ekaterine Gorgodze 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), Gdynia QF (3h55m). Kucova saved four match points in the second set en route to victory in the 6th longest match of the Open Era, and went on to reach her first WTA final.

Andrzej Szkocki

[Q] Martina Trevisan d. Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-4, Indian Wells R1 (3h52m). Victory in the 7th longest match of the Open Era extended a hot streak for Trevisan, who won the 13th of her past 15 matches. — 02 /42

[Q] Martina Trevisan d. Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-4, Indian Wells R1 (3h52m). Victory in the 7th longest match of the Open Era extended a hot streak for Trevisan, who won the 13th of her past 15 matches.

Jimmie48/WTA

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. [WC] Camila Giorgi 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 7-5, Rome R1 (3h51m). Sorribes Tormo saved three set points in the first set and recovered from 0-4 in the third set to win the 8th longest match of the Open Era. — 03 /42

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. [WC] Camila Giorgi 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 7-5, Rome R1 (3h51m). Sorribes Tormo saved three set points in the first set and recovered from 0-4 in the third set to win the 8th longest match of the Open Era.

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[15] Elise Mertens d. Rebecca Peterson 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), US Open R1 (3h40m). Day 1 of the US Open saw a joint record set for longest ever women's singles match at the tournament, with two-time quarterfinalist Mertens saving six match points to do so. — 04 /42

[15] Elise Mertens d. Rebecca Peterson 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), US Open R1 (3h40m). Day 1 of the US Open saw a joint record set for longest ever women's singles match at the tournament, with two-time quarterfinalist Mertens saving six match points to do so.

Kathryn Riley/USTA

[Q] Rebeka Masarova d. Ana Bogdan 6-7(9), 7-6(2), 7-6(9), US Open R1 (3h40m). Minutes after Mertens set the new record, Masarova equalled it, scoring a memorable Grand Slam debut after coming back from 0-3 in the second set and saving two match points. — 05 /42

[Q] Rebeka Masarova d. Ana Bogdan 6-7(9), 7-6(2), 7-6(9), US Open R1 (3h40m). Minutes after Mertens set the new record, Masarova equalled it, scoring a memorable Grand Slam debut after coming back from 0-3 in the second set and saving two match points.

Manuela Davies/USTA

Irina-Camelia Begu d. [5] Johanna Konta 4-6, 7-6(10), 7-6(4), Gippsland Trophy R3 (3h33m). Begu saved two match points en route to her 13th Top 20 win, and first since 2018. — 06 /42

Irina-Camelia Begu d. [5] Johanna Konta 4-6, 7-6(10), 7-6(4), Gippsland Trophy R3 (3h33m). Begu saved two match points en route to her 13th Top 20 win, and first since 2018.

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[17] Maria Sakkari d. [6] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-3, US Open R4 (3h30m). Sakkari avenged a 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(4) loss to Andreescu in the 2021 Miami SF (2h42m, ended at 1:35am) in the US Open's latest ever women's singles finish (2:13am). — 07 /42

[17] Maria Sakkari d. [6] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-3, US Open R4 (3h30m). Sakkari avenged a 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(4) loss to Andreescu in the 2021 Miami SF (2h42m, ended at 1:35am) in the US Open's latest ever women's singles finish (2:13am).

Garrett Ellwood/USTA

Varvara Gracheva d. [3] Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4), Tenerife R1 (3h26m). Gracheva came from 1-5 down in the third set to score her 4th Top 50 win of 2021. It was Sorribes Tormo's sixth match of the year over three hours in length. — 08 /42

Varvara Gracheva d. [3] Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4), Tenerife R1 (3h26m). Gracheva came from 1-5 down in the third set to score her 4th Top 50 win of 2021. It was Sorribes Tormo's sixth match of the year over three hours in length.

Marta Magni Images/MEF Tennis Events

Yulia Putintseva d. Zhang Shuai 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-4, Ostrava R1 (3h24m). Putintseva lost the first set from 5-3 up (missing two set points), won the second from 2-5 down (saving one match point) and won the third from a break down at 3-4. — 09 /42

Yulia Putintseva d. Zhang Shuai 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-4, Ostrava R1 (3h24m). Putintseva lost the first set from 5-3 up (missing two set points), won the second from 2-5 down (saving one match point) and won the third from a break down at 3-4.

Pavel Lebeda

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. Bernarda Pera 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R2 (3h23m). The first of six matches over three hours in length that Sorribes Tormo played in 2021. — 10 /42

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. Bernarda Pera 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R2 (3h23m). The first of six matches over three hours in length that Sorribes Tormo played in 2021.

Jimmie48/WTA

[7] Shelby Rogers d. Christina McHale 7-5, 6-7(6), 7-5, Strasbourg R1 (3h23m). Rogers missed a match point in the second-set tiebreak and in the decider let a 4-1 lead slip - but saved a match point down 4-5 and sealed victory on her second. — 11 /42

[7] Shelby Rogers d. Christina McHale 7-5, 6-7(6), 7-5, Strasbourg R1 (3h23m). Rogers missed a match point in the second-set tiebreak and in the decider let a 4-1 lead slip - but saved a match point down 4-5 and sealed victory on her second.

Internationaux de Strasbourg/C'est qui Maurice?/Michel Grasso

Tamara Zidansek d. [6] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(1), 7-6(2), 9-7, Roland Garros R1 (3h20m). Zidansek was two points from losing in both sets two and three, but held on to score her first Top 10 win - and thence go all the way to the semifinals. — 12 /42

Tamara Zidansek d. [6] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(1), 7-6(2), 9-7, Roland Garros R1 (3h20m). Zidansek was two points from losing in both sets two and three, but held on to score her first Top 10 win - and thence go all the way to the semifinals.

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[4] Yulia Putintseva d. Rebecca Peterson 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2), Strasbourg R1 (3h20m). Putintseva's clay epics are frequently among each season's longest matches, and she fought back for this win despite Peterson twice serving for victory. — 13 /42

[4] Yulia Putintseva d. Rebecca Peterson 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2), Strasbourg R1 (3h20m). Putintseva's clay epics are frequently among each season's longest matches, and she fought back for this win despite Peterson twice serving for victory.

Internationaux de Strasbourg/C'est qui Maurice?/Michel Grasso

Ivana Jorovic d. [Q] Jaqueline Cristian 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(3), Budapest R1 (3h20m). Jorovic saved one match point en route to her first WTA win since Wimbledon 2019, in the fifth event of her comeback from elbow surgery in December 2019. — 14 /42

Ivana Jorovic d. [Q] Jaqueline Cristian 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(3), Budapest R1 (3h20m). Jorovic saved one match point en route to her first WTA win since Wimbledon 2019, in the fifth event of her comeback from elbow surgery in December 2019.

Trenka Attila/Hungarian Grand Prix

Anastasia Potapova d. [6] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6(2), 6-7(8), 6-4, Istanbul R1 (3h20m). An all-Russian first-time meeting spread over two days saw Potapova recover after losing a 5-3 lead and one match point in the second set. — 15 /42

Anastasia Potapova d. [6] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6(2), 6-7(8), 6-4, Istanbul R1 (3h20m). An all-Russian first-time meeting spread over two days saw Potapova recover after losing a 5-3 lead and one match point in the second set.

Gökhan Taner

[25] Angelique Kerber d. Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, Wimbledon R2 (3h19m). The longest women's singles match at Wimbledon since Tamira Paszek's 3h43m defeat of Francesca Schiavone in the 2011 third round. — 16 /42

[25] Angelique Kerber d. Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, Wimbledon R2 (3h19m). The longest women's singles match at Wimbledon since Tamira Paszek's 3h43m defeat of Francesca Schiavone in the 2011 third round.

Jimmie48/WTA

Barbora Krejcikova d. [17] Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7, Roland Garros SF (3h18m). The longest Roland Garros semifinal in the Open Era saw Krejcikova reach her first Grand Slam singles final, saving one match point before taking her fifth. — 17 /42

Barbora Krejcikova d. [17] Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7, Roland Garros SF (3h18m). The longest Roland Garros semifinal in the Open Era saw Krejcikova reach her first Grand Slam singles final, saving one match point before taking her fifth.

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[13] Marie Bouzkova d. [2] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(9), 6-2, 7-5, Phillip Island Trophy SF (3h17m). Bouzkova saved two match points to reach her second WTA final with her fourth career Top 10 win. — 18 /42

[13] Marie Bouzkova d. [2] Bianca Andreescu 6-7(9), 6-2, 7-5, Phillip Island Trophy SF (3h17m). Bouzkova saved two match points to reach her second WTA final with her fourth career Top 10 win.

Tennis Australia/Luke Hemer

Caty McNally d. Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-3, Gippsland Trophy R1 (3h16m). McNally was competing as an alternate, having lost in Australian Open qualifying. — 19 /42

Caty McNally d. Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-3, Gippsland Trophy R1 (3h16m). McNally was competing as an alternate, having lost in Australian Open qualifying.

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[LL] Georgina García Pérez d. [18] Christina McHale 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-5, Nottingham R2 (3h16m). This victory marked the first time that World No.184 García Pérez, 29, had won consecutive matches in a WTA main draw. — 20 /42

[LL] Georgina García Pérez d. [18] Christina McHale 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-5, Nottingham R2 (3h16m). This victory marked the first time that World No.184 García Pérez, 29, had won consecutive matches in a WTA main draw.

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Greet Minnen d. Nuria Párrizas Díaz 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 7-6(2), Luxembourg R1 (3h12m). Minnen served at 6-5 in set two and led 5-2 in the third before avenging a 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(7) loss to the Spaniard in the Landisville ITF W100 one month prior. — 21 /42

Greet Minnen d. Nuria Párrizas Díaz 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 7-6(2), Luxembourg R1 (3h12m). Minnen served at 6-5 in set two and led 5-2 in the third before avenging a 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(7) loss to the Spaniard in the Landisville ITF W100 one month prior.

IWTP

[WC] Vera Zvonareva d. [3] Fiona Ferro 6-7(6), 7-5, 7-6(2), St. Petersburg R2 (3h10m). Zvonareva, 36, won the longest match in tournament history to reach her first WTA quarterfinal since St. Petersburg 2019. — 22 /42

[WC] Vera Zvonareva d. [3] Fiona Ferro 6-7(6), 7-5, 7-6(2), St. Petersburg R2 (3h10m). Zvonareva, 36, won the longest match in tournament history to reach her first WTA quarterfinal since St. Petersburg 2019.

Formula TX

Ajla Tomljanovic d. [1] Elise Mertens 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-6(4), Birmingham R1 (3h9m). Tomljanovic saved a set point in the first set en route to her ninth career Top 20 win. — 23 /42

Ajla Tomljanovic d. [1] Elise Mertens 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-6(4), Birmingham R1 (3h9m). Tomljanovic saved a set point in the first set en route to her ninth career Top 20 win.

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Nao Hibino d. [5] Misaki Doi 7-5, 5-7, 6-6 ret., Charleston 250 R1 (3h9m). A rematch of the 2019 Hiroshima final, Hibino lost a 5-1 lead in the second set but saved five match points down 2-5 in the third before Doi retired due to muscle cramps. — 24 /42

Nao Hibino d. [5] Misaki Doi 7-5, 5-7, 6-6 ret., Charleston 250 R1 (3h9m). A rematch of the 2019 Hiroshima final, Hibino lost a 5-1 lead in the second set but saved five match points down 2-5 in the third before Doi retired due to muscle cramps.

MUSC Health Women's Open/Chris Smith

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. Liudmila Samsonova 6-7(6), 6-1, 7-6(4), Phillip Island Trophy R1 (3h8m). Sorribes Tormo lost the first set from quadruple set point up in the tiebreak, but saved two match points serving down 4-5 in the decider. — 25 /42

Sara Sorribes Tormo d. Liudmila Samsonova 6-7(6), 6-1, 7-6(4), Phillip Island Trophy R1 (3h8m). Sorribes Tormo lost the first set from quadruple set point up in the tiebreak, but saved two match points serving down 4-5 in the decider.

Tennis Australia/Jonathan Di Maggio

[Q] Anastasia Gasanova d. [5] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(4), St. Petersburg R2 (3h8m). World No.241 Gasanova went over three hours on two days running to reach her first WTA quarterfinal, saving three match points in her second round. — 26 /42

[Q] Anastasia Gasanova d. [5] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(4), St. Petersburg R2 (3h8m). World No.241 Gasanova went over three hours on two days running to reach her first WTA quarterfinal, saving three match points in her second round.

Jimmie48/WTA

Varvara Lepchenko d. [LL] Marina Melnikova 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, Gdynia R1 (3h8m). Lepchenko trailed by a set and 3-5, and was two points from losing on three occasions. — 27 /42

Varvara Lepchenko d. [LL] Marina Melnikova 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, Gdynia R1 (3h8m). Lepchenko trailed by a set and 3-5, and was two points from losing on three occasions.

Andrzej Szkocki

[WC] Tereza Martincova d. [WC] Katerina Siniakova 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7), Ostrava R1 (3h6m). Martincova came from 0-5 down in the deciding tiebreak to avenge a previous 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(8) loss to Siniakova in the 2015 Nantes ITF W50. — 28 /42

[WC] Tereza Martincova d. [WC] Katerina Siniakova 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7), Ostrava R1 (3h6m). Martincova came from 0-5 down in the deciding tiebreak to avenge a previous 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(8) loss to Siniakova in the 2015 Nantes ITF W50.

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[4] Elina Svitolina d. Laura Siegemund 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, Tokyo Olympic Games R1 (3h6m). The first and longest of three consecutive three-setters with which Svitolina began her Olympic bronze medal run. — 29 /42

[4] Elina Svitolina d. Laura Siegemund 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, Tokyo Olympic Games R1 (3h6m). The first and longest of three consecutive three-setters with which Svitolina began her Olympic bronze medal run.

Kopatsch/Sato/Sidorjak/ITF

Misaki Doi d. Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, Chicago 500 R1 (3h5m). Doi came within three points of the win in the second set, but ultimately needed a deciding set to quell Bouzkova. — 30 /42

Misaki Doi d. Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, Chicago 500 R1 (3h5m). Doi came within three points of the win in the second set, but ultimately needed a deciding set to quell Bouzkova.

Jimmie48/WTA

[Q] Anastasia Gasanova d. Katarina Zavatska 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-5, St. Petersburg R1 (3h4m). Gasanova missed a match point in the second set but eventually won the first of two three-hour epics on consecutive days in St. Petersburg. — 31 /42

[Q] Anastasia Gasanova d. Katarina Zavatska 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-5, St. Petersburg R1 (3h4m). Gasanova missed a match point in the second set but eventually won the first of two three-hour epics on consecutive days in St. Petersburg.

Formula TX

[21] Paula Badosa d. [27] Victoria Azarenka 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2), Indian Wells F (3h4m). Badosa triumphed in the longest final of 2021, and the longest in tournament history, for her second title and first at WTA 1000 level. — 32 /42

[21] Paula Badosa d. [27] Victoria Azarenka 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2), Indian Wells F (3h4m). Badosa triumphed in the longest final of 2021, and the longest in tournament history, for her second title and first at WTA 1000 level.

Jimmie48/WTA

[8] Kristina Kucova d. Irina Bara 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5), Cluj-Napoca R2 (3h4m). The second time in three weeks that Kucova defeated Bara from a set down in an epic, having also won their Gdynia second round 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in 2h50m. — 33 /42

[8] Kristina Kucova d. Irina Bara 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5), Cluj-Napoca R2 (3h4m). The second time in three weeks that Kucova defeated Bara from a set down in an epic, having also won their Gdynia second round 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in 2h50m.

Winners Open Cluj-Napoca

Bernarda Pera d. [16] Donna Vekic 7-6(10), 2-6, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R1 (3h4m). The first of back-to-back matches over three hours long for Pera in Abu Dhabi. — 34 /42

Bernarda Pera d. [16] Donna Vekic 7-6(10), 2-6, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R1 (3h4m). The first of back-to-back matches over three hours long for Pera in Abu Dhabi.

Jimmie48/WTA

Kirsten Flipkens d. Laura Siegemund 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R1 (3h4m). Flipkens' third win over Siegemund in five meetings, but first at WTA level. — 35 /42

Kirsten Flipkens d. Laura Siegemund 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, Abu Dhabi R1 (3h4m). Flipkens' third win over Siegemund in five meetings, but first at WTA level.

Jimmie48/WTA

[LL] Kristie Ahn d. Heather Watson 2-6, 7-6(3), 8-6, Wimbledon R1 (3h3m). Ahn only got into the Wimbledon main draw after Simona Halep's withdrawal and saved a match point en route to her first career Wimbledon win. — 36 /42

[LL] Kristie Ahn d. Heather Watson 2-6, 7-6(3), 8-6, Wimbledon R1 (3h3m). Ahn only got into the Wimbledon main draw after Simona Halep's withdrawal and saved a match point en route to her first career Wimbledon win.

Jimmie48/WTA

[2] Victoria Azarenka d. Alizé Cornet 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7), Bad Homburg R2 (3h2m). Azarenka's eighth win in eight meetings against Cornet was the fourth to go to three sets and the hardest-fought - Azarenka fended off four match points and won on her third. — 37 /42

[2] Victoria Azarenka d. Alizé Cornet 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7), Bad Homburg R2 (3h2m). Azarenka's eighth win in eight meetings against Cornet was the fourth to go to three sets and the hardest-fought - Azarenka fended off four match points and won on her third.

Sportfoto Zimmer/Maurer

Kamilla Rakhimova d. [6] Arantxa Rus 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-5, Lausanne R1 (3h2m). Rakhimova was unable to close out a 5-3 second-set lead, but held firm in the decider to complete her second career Top 100 win. — 38 /42

Kamilla Rakhimova d. [6] Arantxa Rus 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-5, Lausanne R1 (3h2m). Rakhimova was unable to close out a 5-3 second-set lead, but held firm in the decider to complete her second career Top 100 win.

Ladies Open Lausanne/Mathias Schulz

Daria Kasatkina d. [Q] Irina-Camelia Begu 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1), Madrid R1 (3h1m). Kasatkina led 5-2, 40-0 in the third set but needed eight match points to close out the win, which was her seventh in a row over Begu. — 39 /42

Daria Kasatkina d. [Q] Irina-Camelia Begu 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1), Madrid R1 (3h1m). Kasatkina led 5-2, 40-0 in the third set but needed eight match points to close out the win, which was her seventh in a row over Begu.

Jimmie48/WTA

[6] Wang Qiang d. [2] Petra Martic 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5, Parma QF (3h0m). Wang came into Parma with a 4-11 record in 2021, but played brilliantly in this epic to reach her first semifinal since The Bronx 2019. — 40 /42

[6] Wang Qiang d. [2] Petra Martic 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5, Parma QF (3h0m). Wang came into Parma with a 4-11 record in 2021, but played brilliantly in this epic to reach her first semifinal since The Bronx 2019.

Marta Magni Images/MEF Tennis Events

[3] Veronika Kudermetova d. Bernarda Pera 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4), Istanbul R1 (3h0m). Kudermetova came back from 2-4, 0-40 in the third set to extend her winning streak to seven, while Pera's losing streak reached six. — 41 /42

[3] Veronika Kudermetova d. Bernarda Pera 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4), Istanbul R1 (3h0m). Kudermetova came back from 2-4, 0-40 in the third set to extend her winning streak to seven, while Pera's losing streak reached six.

Gökhan Taner

Rebecca Peterson d. Shelby Rogers 6-7(3), 7-6(8), 6-2, Roland Garros R1 (3h0m). Peterson came from 2-5 down in the second set and saved three match points to post her first Grand Slam victory since the 2019 US Open. — 42 /42

Rebecca Peterson d. Shelby Rogers 6-7(3), 7-6(8), 6-2, Roland Garros R1 (3h0m). Peterson came from 2-5 down in the second set and saved three match points to post her first Grand Slam victory since the 2019 US Open.

Jimmie48/WTA