Zverev Survives US Open Scare
Top Seed Alexander Zverev Survives Five-Hour US Open Thriller Against Lorenzo Sonego
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Key Points
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Lorenzo Sonego, unseeded in New York, pushed top seed Alexander Zverev to the brink, including holding two match points in the fourth set before Zverev escaped to a deciding fifth set.
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Sonego’s aggression and serving were pivotal, as he piled up 16 aces in the match while Zverev fought with a 66% first-serve percentage and yielded multiple chances, including 22 break-point opportunities (he converted five).
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Zverev credited Sonego as an incredible opponent, saying he showed an amazing serve and forehand, while acknowledging his own rare backhand errors as something to improve.
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The match concluded around 1:55 a.m. after nearly five hours, underlining the endurance cost of a marathon first round in humid conditions and marking Zverev’s escape as a rare No.1 seed survival; historically, the last No.1 seed to lose in the US Open first round was in 1990.
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Zverev improved to 6-0 in the head-to-head against Sonego, extending his unbeaten run against the Italian despite the scare.
Top seed Alexander Zverev barely escaped the first round at the US Open, defeating Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a grueling five-hour marathon that ended around 1:55 a.m. Tennis Now reported that Sonego, unseeded at the tournament, pushed Zverev to the brink by holding two match points in the fourth set before the German steadied himself to force a decider.
The victory keeps Zverev's title hopes alive and advances him to a second-round clash with Quentin Halys. Yet the physical toll is real—Sonego's aggression, backed by 16 aces and a fierce forehand, tested Zverev's endurance in humid conditions. The Epoch Times noted the match lasted 4 hours, 52 minutes, marking a rare first-round escape for a top seed in modern US Open history.
Sonego's Serving Keeps Him Within Striking Distance
Sonego's serve was the story. He hit 16 aces and forced Zverev into a defensive stance for most of the match. NTD reported that Zverev struggled with his first-serve percentage at 66%, well below his typical standards. The Italian converted multiple break-point chances, piling up pressure with his forehand and refusing to fold even after losing the first set 6-4.
The turning point came in the fourth set tiebreaker. Sonego earned two match points but could not convert either one. Zverev's resolve in that moment proved critical—one more break and Sonego would have forced a final set with momentum entirely in his favor.
Zverev's Backhand Betrayed Him in Key Moments
Zverev himself acknowledged rare backhand errors during the match. While he ultimately prevailed, those unforced mistakes cost him opportunities to close out sets earlier. He faced 22 break-point opportunities and converted only five, a concerning conversion rate that nearly cost him the tournament in round one.
The German praised Sonego's performance after the match, calling him an incredible opponent with an amazing serve and forehand. Zverev knew he had narrowly avoided a catastrophic upset—and that improvement on his weaknesses would be essential if he hopes to claim the title.
A Historic Escape as the Tournament Shifts
Zverev improved to 6-0 in the head-to-head record against Sonego, extending his unbeaten run despite the scare. NTD noted this marks the first time Zverev competes as a No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam tournament, adding extra pressure to the occasion. His survival comes as the US Open field has been upended by high-profile exits, with both Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner sidelined in the opening round.
The match's late finish—nearly 2 a.m.—underscores the endurance demands of a five-set thriller in New York's humid climate. Zverev will need proper recovery time before facing Halys in round two. Such marathon victories, while ultimately successful, exact a physical cost that could haunt a player's deeper tournament run.
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