Zverev Battles Past Sonego in Five-Set US Open Opener

Alexander Zverev entered the 2026 US Open as the men's top seed, carrying high expectations after a successful season. Meanwhile, Italy's Lorenzo Sonego arrived as an underdog but with a reputation for challenging top players.

The first round at the US Open is often straightforward for top seeds, but Zverev's draw against Sonego promised a tougher test. Zverev had beaten Sonego in all six of their previous meetings, yet the Italian was known for his fighting spirit.

The match was scheduled for a late slot in New York, setting the stage for an intense opening battle.

On September 2, 2026, Zverev and Sonego faced off in what quickly turned into one of the tournament's most dramatic matches. According to L'Équipe and the Guardian, Zverev took the first set 6-4, but Sonego responded by capturing the next two sets, 6-3 and 7-6. This left Zverev trailing two sets to one, in real danger of becoming the first men's No. 1 seed to lose in the US Open's opening round, as reported by ESPN and The Guardian.

The tension mounted as Sonego pushed Zverev to the brink. La Repubblica highlighted that Sonego even held a break point in the deciding set, but could not convert. The match stretched late into the night, with German outlet DER SPIEGEL noting that Zverev finally sealed victory at 1:55 a.m. local time after nearly five hours on court.

Zverev managed to turn the match around in the fourth set, winning 7-5, before closing out the fifth set 6-4. Rain delays affected other matches that evening, but their contest played on, drawing attention for its suspense and high level, according to The42 and Al Jazeera.

Zverev's win keeps his title hopes alive and prevents a historic upset. He moves into the second round, while Sonego exits after a strong performance that nearly produced a major shock.

Other Italian players, Musetti and Bellucci, advanced easily in their matches, but much of the spotlight remained on the Zverev-Sonego marathon. The top seed will now look to recover after a draining first test in New York.

Attention now turns to Zverev's next matches. After nearly five hours on court, questions remain about his recovery and how the tough opener might affect his performance in later rounds. The draw could open up if he shows signs of fatigue, making every match critical for the world number one.