Prime seed Alexander Zverev overcame a formidable problem from Lorenzo Sonego in an exciting five-set match, advancing in his quest for a second Grand Slam title.
IMAGE: Alexander Zverev celebrates after successful his first spherical match in opposition to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on the US Open on Tuesday. {Photograph}: IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters/Geoff Burke
Key Factors
- Alexander Zverev, the highest seed, edged previous Lorenzo Sonego in 5 units.
- French Open champion and Wimbledon finalist Zverev, handed high billing in New York within the absence of injured world primary Jannik Sinner.
- Zverev was two factors from defeat at one stage however saved his composure when it mattered to arrange a conflict with Quentin Halys.
Prime seed Alexander Zverev survived an enormous scare on the US Open after overcoming Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a first-round thriller that lasted nearly 5 hours and stretched into the early hours of Wednesday.
Zverev arrived in New York as a serious champion for the primary time after his French Open triumph in June and is extensively seen as the person to beat with world primary Jannik Sinner absent and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz lately getting back from damage.
IMAGE: Lorenzo Sonego helps Alexander Zverev after he fell throughout their first spherical match. {Photograph}: IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters/Robert Deutsch
Zverev transformed solely considered one of seven break-point alternatives in successful the opening set earlier than world quantity 89 Sonego responded within the second, breaking early and shifting the momentum earlier than serving out to like and sealing the set with an ace.
Zverev’s unimaginable fightback
IMAGE: Alexander Zverev discovered himself two factors away from defeat earlier than securing an important maintain within the fourth set. {Photograph}: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
A back-and-forth third set went to a tiebreak, the place a double fault from Zverev handed Sonego the opening he wanted to maneuver forward 2-1.
After the pair traded breaks within the fourth, Zverev discovered himself two factors away from defeat earlier than securing an important maintain and breaking serve to pressure a deciding set.
IMAGE: Alexander Zverev reacts. {Photograph}: IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters/Geoff Burke
Zverev accomplished the turnaround as Sonego ran out of steam, the German comfortable to keep away from turning into the primary high seed to lose within the first spherical of a Grand Slam since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 at Wimbledon.
“I am simply comfortable I gained, that is it,” Zverev mentioned.
“I feel it was an unimaginable battle, a lot of ups and downs, almost 5 hours. I feel it was my longest first-round match at a Grand Slam.
IMAGE: Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in motion. {Photograph}: IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters/Geoff Burke
“He would have overwhelmed numerous gamers however I am comfortable to be via.
“I am comfortable I gained this sort of battle and it was precisely what I wanted … good issues occur after you battle via these matches.”
Zverev will subsequent face Frenchman Quentin Halys.
