Alexander Zverev survived one of the biggest first-round scares of the US Open 2026, defeating Lorenzo Sonego in a dramatic five-set battle that lasted nearly five hours in New York.
The German top seed eventually prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4, with the match finishing at 1:55 a.m. local time. The result kept Zverev’s title hopes alive after he came dangerously close to an early exit.
Zverev Escapes First-Round Test
The Zverev vs Sonego matchup quickly turned into a major test for the World No. 2. Zverev entered the contest with a dominant record against the Italian, but Sonego produced an aggressive performance that repeatedly troubled the German.
Zverev took the opening set 6-4, but Sonego tennis became increasingly effective as the match progressed. The Italian used his speed, court coverage and willingness to attack the net to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm.
Sonego responded by winning the second set 6-3 before taking the third in a tense tiebreak. At 6/7 in the tiebreak, Zverev had an opportunity to level the momentum, but Sonego charged forward and produced a crucial overhead winner. A double fault from Zverev soon afterward left him two sets to one down.
Alexander Zverev Finds a Way Back
With his US Open campaign on the line, Alexander Zverev finally found another level in the fourth set.
The German created numerous opportunities on Sonego’s serve and improved the quality of his returns. He finished the match with 22 break opportunities but converted only five, showing just how difficult the Italian made the contest.
Zverev was particularly close to elimination while serving at 4-5, 30/30 in the fourth set. He managed to hold his nerve, eventually forcing the match into a deciding set.
The fifth set remained competitive, but Zverev finally secured the decisive break and completed the comeback with a 6-4 final-set victory.
Sonego Pushes Top Seed to the Limit
For Lorenzo Sonego, the defeat was a painful ending to an outstanding performance. The Italian came into the match with a difficult record against top-10 opponents at Grand Slam tournaments, but he showed that he could compete with one of the tournament favorites.
His movement around the court was a major factor. Sonego repeatedly reached shots that appeared destined to become winners and used aggressive net play to put pressure on Zverev.
The Sonego vs Zverev battle also highlighted how different the match could have been if the Italian had converted a few more key opportunities.
Despite losing, Sonego’s performance demonstrated why he was capable of making the top seed work for every point.
Zverev’s US Open Title Bid Continues
The victory is especially important for Zverev US Open ambitions. He is competing as the top seed at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career after Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament with a right knee injury.
Zverev arrived in New York as the reigning French Open champion and had also reached the Wimbledon final earlier in the season. However, his form heading into the US Open had been less convincing, with a 2-2 record across the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters events.
That made his victory over Sonego potentially significant.
“This is exactly the kind of match that I needed,” Zverev said after the contest, reflecting on his recent struggles and the importance of fighting through a difficult match.
The win also gave Zverev his 47th tour-level victory of the season, including 19 wins at Grand Slam level.
What Comes Next for Zverev?
Zverev now moves into the second round, where he will face Frenchman Quentin Halys.
The German has already beaten Halys twice this year, with their meetings coming in Miami and at Roland Garros. That head-to-head advantage gives Zverev confidence, but his marathon against Sonego means recovery will be just as important as preparation.
After spending almost five hours on court, Zverev will need to regain his energy quickly if he wants to make a deep run in New York.
The opening-round thriller also adds another intriguing storyline to a tournament that has already attracted plenty of attention, including interest surrounding Coco Gauff US Open 2026.
For now, however, the focus remains firmly on Zverev. The top seed came within moments of a shocking first-round defeat but produced the resilience needed to survive. His US Open journey continues.
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