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Alexander Zverev overcomes five-set challenge to reach US Open second round
The top seed rallied past Lorenzo Sonego across nearly five hours in New York to avoid an opening-round upset.
The short version
- Top-seeded Alexander Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set match lasting nearly five hours at the US Open.
- Zverev avoided becoming the first men's top seed to lose an opening Grand Slam match since 2003.
- Zverev advances to the tournament's second round after converting only five of 22 break points.
Key facts
- Alexander Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4 in an opening-round match lasting 4 hours and 52 minutes.[Associated Press]
- Zverev received the tournament's No. 1 seed after Jannik Sinner pulled out because of an injury to his right knee.[Associated Press]
- The victory preserved Zverev's undefeated record against Sonego, improving his career mark to 7-0 against the Italian.[Associated Press]
- A men's top seed has not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament since Lleyton Hewitt was defeated at Wimbledon in 2003.[Associated Press]