Alexander Zverev survived a grueling five‑set encounter with Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego to move into the second round of the US Open, keeping his quest for a third consecutive Grand Slam final alive. The German, who entered New York as the top seed after world‑number‑one Jannik Sinner withdrew with injury, fought back from a two‑set deficit to claim a 6‑4, 3‑6, 6‑7(7), 7‑5, 6‑4 victory. The match, which lasted four hours and 53 minutes, tested Zverev’s endurance and composure, especially when he was two points from defeat in the third set tiebreak.
Key moments from Zverev’s win
After taking the first set 6‑4, Zverev saw Sonego rally to win the next two sets, the third in a tightly contested tiebreak that ended 7‑6(7). Facing a potential collapse, Zverev steadied his game in the fourth set, breaking Sonego to take it 7‑5. He sealed the match with a decisive 6‑4 win in the final set. Post‑match, Zverev said, “I’m just happy I won, that’s it… I’m happy that I won this battle and it was exactly what I needed … good things happen after you fight through these matches.” His victory sets up a second‑round clash with France’s Quentin Halys.
American hopes advance under the roof
While rain forced a delay to outdoor play, the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof allowed three American players to complete their first‑round matches. Madison Keys, the 2017 runner‑up, overcame Russian qualifier Alina Korneeva 7‑5, 6‑4. Keys, who described the opening round of a Grand Slam as “so hard” and “nerve‑wracking,” expressed gratitude for her performance, noting, “I’m so grateful I was able to fight through that.” She will meet Hungarian Anna Bondar in the next round.
Men’s ninth seed Taylor Fritz delivered a straight‑sets win over fellow American Darwin Blanch, 6‑3, 6‑2, 6‑4. Fritz, who reached the 2024 US Open final, has experienced an uneven run to the tournament, winning the Washington, D.C. event, falling in the Montreal opener, and reaching the Cincinnati quarterfinals. He emphasized the significance of his US Open campaign, saying, “It’s super important for me. I’d be pretty disappointed in the end of it if I wasn’t able to achieve that. In my life, any time I have set a big goal for myself, I’ve always done it.”
Teenage sensation Alexandra Eala, hailed as a new crowd favourite, dispatched qualifier Mary Stoiana 6‑1, 6‑2. Eala’s near‑flawless display highlighted her growing promise on the big stage, adding another compelling storyline to a day already packed with American success.
Rain‑induced chaos and other matches
Heavy rain in the morning forced a long postponement of outdoor action, leaving thousands of spectators in ponchos wandering the grounds as the schedule fell behind. Organisers announced that 14 first‑round matches suspended by the weather would be completed on Wednesday.
At Louis Armstrong Stadium, men’s fifth seed Flavio Cobolli rallied from two sets down to beat Francisco Comesana 3‑6, 2‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑4, while women’s fifth seed Mirra Andreeva dispatched Janice Tjen 6‑2, 6‑2. In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff opened her campaign with a 6‑3, 6‑4 win over Zeynep Sonmez, keeping her pursuit of a third Grand Slam title on track.
American teenager Thea Frodin, known for portraying a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film “King Richard,” made her WTA Tour‑level debut against second seed Elena Rybakina. Rybakina, despite recent injury concerns, secured a 6‑3, 6‑2 victory.
Italian youngster Lorenzo Musetti posted a straight‑sets triumph over British player Arthur Fery, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5. Fery had previously reached the Wimbledon semifinals, making the win notable for Musetti’s rising profile.
French veteran Gaël Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday with a four‑set win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, 2‑6, 6‑1, 6‑2, 6‑0, extending his farewell Grand Slam campaign.
Alex de Minaur was scheduled to close the day’s programme on the Grandstand court against Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri, but the match, along with several others, was cancelled when rain returned in the evening.
The day’s disruptions underscore the logistical challenges of hosting a major tournament in New York’s unpredictable climate. Nevertheless, the completed matches showcased a blend of seasoned contenders and emerging talent, setting the stage for a compelling second round across both the men’s and women’s draws.
Looking ahead
Zverev’s win positions him for a third straight Grand Slam final, a feat that would further cement his status among the sport’s elite. His next opponent, Quentin Halys, will provide a fresh test as the tournament resumes full swing on Wednesday.
For the American contingent, the early victories by Keys, Fritz, Gauff and Eala raise expectations for deep runs, especially as the US Open seeks a new men’s champion after a 23‑year drought since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph.
With rain expected to subside, the US Open’s second day promises to deliver the high‑stakes tennis that fans anticipate, while the tournament’s organizers work to clear the backlog of delayed matches.
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