Alexander Zverev: “This is the Longest First-Round Match I’ve Ever Played” — Top Seed Escapes Lorenzo Sonego in Five-Set US Open Thriller
Top seed Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided a catastrophic opening-round exit on Tuesday night, battling back to outlast unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a four-hour, 53-minute epic inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fresh off capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this season, the World No. 2 found himself pushed to the absolute brink. Sonego, ranked No. 89, was just two points away from closing out a historic upset in the fourth set before Zverev mounted a furious late-night comeback.
“Incredible battle, a lot of ups and downs, nearly five hours for a first-round match,’’ Zverev said on court after surviving the midnight marathon. “I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life.”
A Monumental Effort Under the Ashe Roof
On a rain-slicked Day 3 in Flushing Meadows, the closed roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium provided ideal conditions for Sonego, who swung freely and pushed the top seed into uncomfortable territory.
After dropping a tight first set, Sonego charged the net and dialed in his serve, breaking Zverev to take the second set. The Italian then saved a set point in a dramatic third-set tiebreaker to claim it 9-7, putting the German star on the ropes.
In the fourth set, Sonego stood within two points of becoming just the third player in Open Era history to knock out the top seed in the US Open first round. However, Zverev showed champion’s poise, staving off the danger to break back twice and force a deciding fifth set.
“Credit to him, he played amazing tennis today,’’ praised Zverev, who converted five of 22 break points on the night. “He would have beaten a lot of players for sure. But I’m happy to be through.”
Finding the Spark for a Deep New York Run
In the final set, a lone break of serve at 3-2—triggered by a double fault from a weary Sonego—gave Zverev the definitive cushion he needed to serve out the match.
While the grueling encounter tested his physical limits, Zverev expressed hope that surviving such a stern opening test would reignite his form following a choppy hard-court swing leading into New York.
“Actually I’m happy that I won this kind of battle,’’ Zverev reflected. “This is exactly the match that I needed because I struggled in the last two tournaments, I didn’t play well, and sometimes good things happen after you fight through one of these matches. So I’m hoping that will be the case for me this tournament.’’
Addressing the remaining fans in the stadium as the late-night clash finally drew to a close, the top seed closed with a lighthearted message:
“I think everyone is tired,’’ Zverev smiled. “Everyone wants to go to sleep, so have a good night and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
