Top-seeded Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided a first-round exit at the US Open on Tuesday, overcoming a resilient Lorenzo Sonego in a marathon five-set encounter. The match, which concluded at 1:55 a.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium, lasted four hours and 53 minutes. Zverev, who was just two points away from defeat while trailing 5-4 in the fourth set, eventually secured a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-4 victory. The German player, currently ranked 89th in the world, noted that the intense battle was exactly what he needed following recent lackluster performances on the hard-court circuit.
Reflecting on the grueling contest, Zverev acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, “I’m just happy I won, that’s it. Incredible battle.” He praised his opponent’s performance, adding, “Credit to him, he played an incredible match.” This victory marks Zverev’s seventh win in as many meetings against the Italian.
While Zverev faced significant adversity, world number two Elena Rybakina and former champion Coco Gauff navigated their opening matches with relative ease. Rybakina, who is pursuing both a third Grand Slam title and the world number one ranking, defeated American teenager Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2. Despite recent concerns regarding a left heel injury that forced her withdrawal from a Cincinnati quarter-final, Rybakina showed no signs of physical distress, saving both break points she faced.
Coco Gauff also demonstrated strong form, securing a 6-3, 6-4 win against 53rd-ranked Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey. Although Sonmez managed to recover an early break in the second set, Gauff regained control by saving three break points in the sixth game. “I think I was just trying not to panic,” Gauff remarked, highlighting the importance of that pivotal game in securing her momentum.
In other action, fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli achieved a career milestone by rallying from two sets down to defeat Argentina’s Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The four-hour and 13-minute match saw the Italian celebrate emotionally after the final point, emphasizing the necessity of fighting until the very end in Grand Slam tournaments.
French Open champion Mirra Andreeva continued her successful season by cruising past Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2. Andreeva, the fifth seed, maintained an aggressive approach throughout the match, marking her second victory over Tjen in less than two weeks.
American players also saw success on the main stage, with Madison Keys overcoming first-match nerves to defeat 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4. Meanwhile, ninth-seeded Taylor Fritz moved efficiently through his draw, dispatching fellow American Darwin Blanch with a dominant 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 performance.
The tournament schedule faced disruption due to persistent rain, which caused significant delays for matches held on outside courts. While play proceeded on the covered Ashe and Armstrong stadiums, several other matches were postponed or suspended, with five late-evening contests pushed to Wednesday. The report also notes that winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-4, zverev fought off a determined challenge from Italy’s lowly ranked Sonego. The report also notes that impossibly angled winners and some inexplicable errors, which wrapped up on Arthur Ashe Stadium after four hours and 53 minutes at 1:55 in the morning, zverev fought off a determined challenge from Sonego in a tense all-court battle spiced by unlikely retrievals. The report also notes that zverev, who followed his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros with a Wimbledon final appearance, notched his seventh win in as many matches against Sonego, ranked 89 in the world. The report also notes that she started coming to the net and playing great tennis. The report also notes that that 3-all game was real important,” added Gauff, who saved three break points in the sixth game and broke in the next for a lead she wouldn’t relinquish. The report also notes that it always can be dangerous, but overall I’m happy with the first match and how it went,” she said, especially when you don’t know your opponent. The report also notes that dropping to his knees and raising his arms in celebration after closing out the four-hour, 13-minute marathon, the Italian shook off an erratic start.
