Alexander Zverev Reaches 2nd Round After Five-Set Epic Against Sonego in US Open 2026

NEW YORK: Alexander Zverev opened his US Open 2026 campaign with a four-hour, 53-minute battle against Lorenzo Sonego, eventually securing a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 victory at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The German will now meet Frenchman Quentin Halys in the second round as he begins another attempt to win his first US Open title. Zverev finished runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2020 and arrived this year after winning the French Open and reaching the Wimbledon final.

Sonego had several opportunities to turn the match in his favour. The Italian's aggressive approach, particularly against Zverev's second serve, kept the German under sustained pressure, while the third set went to a tense tie-break before Sonego took it 9-7.

Zverev responded in the fourth set and forced the match into a decider. He then held his composure through the final set to complete the comeback, having twice been only two points away from elimination during the contest.

The 29-year-old said the demanding encounter was exactly the type of test he needed after a difficult run of results in the build-up to the tournament.

"Overall, it was a great battle and a match that I needed after the last couple of weeks," he said.

Zverev was also critical of his own performance, admitting that his backhand produced more unforced errors than usual. He nevertheless credited Sonego for the quality of his tennis throughout the match.

"He is an amazing tennis player," Zverev said after the match. "He has an amazing serve and forehand, and he can return so quickly."

"I have to give credit to him, but I'm happy I managed to win in the end," he added.

With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner missing the tournament through injury, Zverev carries a high seeding and significant expectations into the draw. His immediate challenge is Halys, but the German's longer-term target remains the title that narrowly escaped him six years ago.

For now, his priority is recovery after one of the opening round's longest contests and preparing for his next match.