5 hrs ago
Zverev Survives Sonego Scare in Five-Set US Open Thriller
Alexander Zverev played Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the US Open.
Zverev won the first set, but Sonego won the next two.
That left Zverev just one set away from losing.
In the fourth set, Sonego came within two points of winning the match.
Zverev stayed calm, broke Sonego’s serve and forced a final set.
He then broke Sonego again and won the match 6-4 in the fifth set.
The match lasted almost five hours and ended after midnight.
Zverev will next play Quentin Halys.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4.
The first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium lasted about four hours and 53 minutes and ended at 1:55 a.m.
Sonego led two sets to one and came within two points of victory while serving at 4-5 in the fourth set.
Zverev saved the situation, broke Sonego late in the fourth set and then secured an early break in the deciding set.
Zverev advanced to face France’s Quentin Halys in the second round of the 2026 US Open.
- Who
- Top-seeded German Alexander Zverev defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, ranked 89th in the world.
- What
- Zverev won a five-set US Open first-round match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows in New York.
- When
- The match began Tuesday and finished at 1:55 a.m. early Wednesday, according to the reports.
- Why
- Zverev advanced to the second round and avoided becoming the first men’s Grand Slam top seed in 23 years to lose in the opening round.
Key facts
- Winner
- Alexander Zverev
- Opponent
- Lorenzo Sonego
- Score
- 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4
- Match duration
- About four hours and 53 minutes; one report gave the duration as 4 hours and 52 minutes.
- Finish time
- 1:55 a.m. local time
- Key turning point
- Sonego was two points from victory in the fourth set before Zverev held serve and broke back.
- Next opponent
- Quentin Halys of France
- Break-point statistics
- Zverev converted five of 22 break points, while Sonego converted three of five.
Quotes
Alexander Zverev
German top-seeded tennis player and French Open champion
“Incredible battle, a lot of up and downs -- nearly five hours for a first round, I think it's the longest first round match I ever played in my life.”
deccanchronicle.com
“I think it was an incredible battle, lots of ups and downs, nearly five hours. I think it was my longest first-round match at a Grand Slam.”
rediff.com
Sources
Midnight Thriller At US Open! Alexander Zverev Survives Sonego Scare In First Round
US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev Survives Major Upset Scare from Lorenzo Sonego In Epic Five-Set Thriller | Video
US Open 2026: Zverev Out-Lasts Sonego in Wild Five-Setter To Reach Second Round
US Open 2026: Top seed Alexander Zverev battles past Lorenzo Sonego in five sets to reach second round
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