The German star overcame Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in a grueling five-set match, narrowly avoiding a historic early exit for a top seed at the US Open.

Top seed Alexander Zverev began his US Open campaign with an epic test of endurance, fighting through a demanding nearly five-hour match against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. The German ultimately prevailed with a scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4, advancing to the second round in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Zverev’s victory was not only a personal triumph but also allowed him to avoid becoming the first men’s No. 1 seed to be eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament since 2003. His resilience was thoroughly tested by Sonego, who pushed him to his limits throughout the protracted encounter.

Reflecting on the grueling contest, Zverev acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Nearly five hours for a first round, I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life.” He praised his opponent, adding, “So, credit to him. He played amazing tennis today, would have beaten a lot of players for sure, but I’m happy to be through,” according to reporting by The Guardian - Tennis.

A Battle of Endurance and Nerves

The protracted match, lasting four hours and 52 minutes, saw Zverev grappling to convert opportunities against Sonego's serve for long stretches. The Italian’s exceptional speed across the court allowed him to chase down shots that would typically be winners, coupled with crucial serves that consistently frustrated the German.

Zverev managed to break Sonego’s serve late in the third set when Sonego served for the set at 5-4. However, despite taking a 7-6 lead in the subsequent tiebreaker with serves clocking 133mph and 141mph, Zverev double-faulted to lose the set after Sonego won the next two points.

In the fourth set, Zverev gained a 3-2 lead, but Sonego responded immediately, breaking back by covering every inch of the court. Sonego then came within two points of clinching the match at 5-4, before Zverev held serve and broke his opponent to secure a 6-5 lead, ultimately winning the set.

Before the deciding fifth set, Sonego required a check on his hand or wrist. Although he appeared to be fine, Zverev seized the momentum, securing a critical break to lead 3-2 and maintaining his advantage through to the end of the marathon.

Avoiding a Historic First-Round Upset

Zverev's tenacious victory spared him from a significant and rare statistical anomaly. Had he lost, he would have been the first men’s top seed to fall in the first round of a major since Ivo Karlovic defeated Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2003. This type of early exit has not occurred at the US Open itself since Stefan Edberg lost to Alexander Volkov in 1990.

This US Open marks a pivotal moment for Zverev, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the first time in a Grand Slam. This elevated status followed top-ranked Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal due to a right knee injury. Despite their 7-0 head-to-head record in Zverev’s favor, Sonego, who held a 1-9 record against top 10 players in Grand Slams, proved to be an exceptionally difficult opponent.

Zverev's Perspective: A Needed Fight

Despite the immense challenge, Zverev expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought win. He views the grueling match as a necessary battle to kickstart his tournament performance. His conversion rate on break points, only five out of 22 opportunities, highlighted the intensity of Sonego's defense.

“Actually I’m happy that I won this kind of battle because this exactly the match that I needed,” Zverev commented post-match. He revealed previous struggles, saying, “I struggled 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 at this tournament.” Zverev is now set to face Quentin Halys in the second round, a former 2020 US Open runner-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Alexander Zverev play in his US Open first round?

Alexander Zverev played Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in his opening match at the US Open, securing a hard-fought five-set victory.

How long was Alexander Zverev's first-round match at the US Open?

Alexander Zverev's first-round match against Lorenzo Sonego at the US Open lasted a remarkable four hours and 52 minutes, making it one of his longest career openers.

What was the score of Zverev's US Open first round match?

Alexander Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego with a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4 in a thrilling five-set encounter.

Why was Alexander Zverev the No. 1 seed at the US Open?

Alexander Zverev was elevated to the No. 1 seed at the US Open after top-ranked Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to a right knee injury.

When was the last time a men's No. 1 seed lost in a Grand Slam first round?

The last time a men's No. 1 seed lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament was in 2003, when Ivo Karlovic defeated Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon.