Alexander Zverev survived a massive scare in the first round of the US Open, overcoming Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in an engaging clash that finished at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday.
Competing as the top seed at a major for the first time, the German was two points from defeat while serving at 4-5, 30/30 in the fourth set, yet seized control to keep his title hopes alive after a four-hour, 53-minute battle.
“I’m just happy I won. That’s it,” said a relieved Zverev. “Incredible battle. A lot of ups and downs. Nearly five hours for a first round. I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life. So credit to him, he played amazing tennis today. He would have beaten a lot of players for sure, but I’m happy to be through.”
Zverev entered the night with a perfect 6-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Sonego, but that history meant little as the World No. 89 delivered an inspired net-rushing performance to push the German to the brink.
This year’s Roland Garros champion, Zverev, who reached his first Slam final in 2020 in New York, began the night with a below-par start, most notably with uncharacteristic forehand errors. As the match wore on, Zverev moved more freely and improved his return quality; creating 22 break chances, converting five throughout the night.
Zverev had a chance to secure the third set on return at 6/7 in the tie-break, but it was fended off by the 31-year-old Sonego, who bravely charged forward and hammered an overhead winner that bounced into the stands. Moments later, a nervy Zverev double faulted, sending him to a two sets to one deficit.
More than half of Zverev's break chances for the evening came in a topsy-turvy fourth set as the 25-time tour-level titlist began to turn the tide towards a memorable comeback. Seven minutes shy of a five-hour tussle, it marks Zverev's second-longest match at a major. Only his January Australian Open semi-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz was longer (5 hours, 27 minutes).
“This is exactly the kind of match that I needed. I struggled the last two tournaments,” said Zverev, referring to his 2-2 record across ATP Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. “Sometimes good things happen after you fight through one of these matches. I’m hoping that will be the case for me this tournament.”
Into the second round, Zverev next faces Frenchman Quentin Halys. The World No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-0, with both meetings coming this year (Miami, Roland Garros). Zverev holds a season-leading 47 tour-level match wins, including 19 at Slam level.
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