Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Alexander Zverev came through one of the toughest opening-round battles of his career after fighting back against a determined Italian opponent in a dramatic match that lasted close to five hours. The German player entered the contest carrying the pressure of being the leading seed, but the match quickly turned into a major test of his patience, physical strength and ability to perform under pressure. His opponent refused to surrender after losing the opening set and eventually moved ahead, leaving Zverev just moments away from an early exit.The contest went deep into the New York night, with both players producing long rallies, powerful serves and several momentum swings. Zverev eventually found a way to turn the match around and secured his place in the next round. The victory keeps the German's campaign alive and gives him another opportunity to challenge for a second Grand Slam title this season.

Zverev Starts Strong but Sonego Responds

Zverev began the contest with authority and took the first set 6-4. However, the scoreline did not fully reflect the opportunities he created. The top seed earned seven break-point chances but converted only one of them. That allowed his opponent to remain within striking distance despite Zverev controlling much of the early exchange. The Italian quickly changed his approach in the second set. He became more aggressive and looked increasingly comfortable attacking the German's serve and moving forward whenever an opportunity appeared.

That shift immediately changed the rhythm of the match.

The second set went in the Italian's favour, with an early break helping him establish control. He then held his serve confidently and closed out the set with an ace, levelling the contest at one set apiece.

Third Set Turns the Match Upside Down

The third set became a genuine battle of nerves. Neither player was able to establish a decisive advantage during the regular games, forcing the set into a tiebreak. With the match becoming increasingly physical, every point carried greater significance. Zverev committed a costly double fault during the tiebreak, giving his opponent an important opening. The Italian took advantage of the opportunity and eventually claimed the set 7-6(7), moving ahead two sets to one. For Zverev, the situation was suddenly extremely dangerous. A player expected to contend deep into the tournament was now one set away from a first-round exit. For his opponent, meanwhile, the possibility of producing one of the biggest wins of his career was becoming increasingly realistic.

Sonego Comes Within Two Points of a Huge Upset

The fourth set produced the most dramatic phase of the match. Both players exchanged breaks, and the Italian continued to put pressure on Zverev. At 5-4, Sonego was just two points away from victory and the biggest upset of the opening round.

Zverev, however, refused to collapse.

The German produced a crucial hold when his tournament was effectively on the line. That gave him another opportunity to attack his opponent's serve. He then managed to break Sonego and level the match by taking the fourth set 7-5. The comeback completely changed the atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. What had looked like a likely early defeat suddenly became a deciding-set battle. Zverev had survived the most dangerous moment of the match, but he still had one more set to win.

Deciding Set Finally Goes Zverev's Way

The final set was a test of stamina as much as tennis ability. After spending nearly five hours on court, both players were clearly feeling the physical demands of the contest. Zverev gradually gained control as the Italian's intensity began to drop. The German made better use of his serve and became more effective in the longer exchanges. He eventually secured the decisive advantage and closed out the match 6-4 in the fifth set. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in Zverev's favour. The match ended at around 1:55 a.m., underlining just how long and demanding the opening-round battle had been.

A Huge Relief for the Top Seed

For Zverev, the victory was about much more than simply advancing to the second round. The German arrived at the tournament with expectations higher than ever after winning the French Open earlier this year. He is also the top seed at a major tournament for the first time in his career. With Jannik Sinner absent from the tournament, Zverev entered the event as the highest-ranked player in the draw. That increased the attention surrounding every match and made an early defeat potentially damaging to his title ambitions. Instead of becoming a major upset victim, he demonstrated the ability to recover when his campaign appeared to be slipping away. His response in the fourth set was particularly important. Rather than allowing the pressure to dictate his performance, he stayed focused long enough to create another opportunity.

A Historic First-Round Record Remains Intact

Zverev's survival also helped him avoid becoming the first men's No. 1 seed to lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam since 2003. That history added another layer of pressure to a contest that was already extremely demanding. The German's victory therefore protected not only his tournament campaign but also a significant piece of Grand Slam history. His comeback also extended his impressive record against Sonego. Before this meeting, Zverev had won all six of their previous encounters, although the Italian came closer than ever to ending that dominance.

Zverev's Numbers Show the Difficulty of the Match

The match statistics demonstrate how hard Zverev had to work. He created 22 break-point opportunities during the contest and converted five of them. Despite creating several chances, he was unable to put the match away early, allowing Sonego to stay competitive for nearly five hours. The Italian's aggressive style also caused problems for Zverev. His willingness to move forward and attack at the net prevented the German from settling into an easy rhythm. Zverev gradually improved his returning and movement as the match progressed, which helped him regain control during the final stages. The victory was also Zverev's 47th tour-level win of the season, a figure that currently leads the men's tour.

French Open Champion Faces Another Test

Zverev's recent French Open success has made him one of the major players to watch at this tournament. Winning his first Grand Slam title earlier this year changed the expectations surrounding him. He is no longer simply a contender trying to reach the final stages of a major; he is now carrying the status of a Grand Slam champion into every tournament. That status brings additional pressure, particularly when a match appears to be slipping away. Against Sonego, Zverev demonstrated that he can survive those difficult situations. However, the match also showed that the path toward another Grand Slam title will not be straightforward. His opening-round opponent was ranked outside the top 80, yet the German was pushed to the limit.

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Sonego Deserves Credit for the Fight

Although Sonego ultimately lost, his performance was one of the strongest aspects of the contest. The Italian recovered after dropping the opening set and repeatedly challenged Zverev's rhythm. His aggressive tennis helped him take control during the second and third sets.

He also came extremely close to completing the upset in the fourth set.

Being only two points away from victory against the top seed demonstrated how effectively Sonego handled the pressure during most of the contest. Although he could not finish the job, his performance turned what could have been a routine first-round match into one of the most dramatic battles of the tournament's early stages.

Zverev Admits Relief After the Battle

Following the match, Zverev made it clear that his primary feeling was relief. He described the contest as an incredible battle filled with major momentum swings and acknowledged that the match had lasted almost five hours. The German also recognised that Sonego had played well enough to defeat many opponents in the draw. For Zverev, surviving such a demanding match could prove valuable as the tournament progresses. Difficult matches early in a Grand Slam can provide players with confidence, particularly when they are able to win after being placed under extreme pressure. The German now has an opportunity to recover physically before his next challenge.

What Comes Next for Zverev?

Zverev will now move into the second round, where he is scheduled to face Frenchman Quentin Halys. The German has already faced Halys twice this season and won both meetings, including encounters in Miami and at Roland Garros. However, the German will need to recover quickly after his exhausting opening-round battle. A nearly five-hour match can take a significant physical toll, particularly at a Grand Slam where players must win seven matches to lift the trophy. His ability to recover before the next match could therefore become an important part of his campaign.

Who did Alexander Zverev beat in the first round?

Alexander Zverev defeated Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set first-round match at the US Open.

What was the score between Zverev and Sonego?

Zverev won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4.

How long did the Zverev vs Sonego match last?

The match lasted approximately four hours and 53 minutes and finished around 1:55 a.m. in New York.

Was Zverev close to losing?

Yes. Sonego led two sets to one and was only two points away from victory late in the fourth set before Zverev fought back.

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