Zverev Survives Five-Set Epic; Gauff Cruises at US Open
Source: Voice of Alexandria Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
NEW YORK — Alexander Zverev arrived at this US Open carrying the weight of a new identity: No. 1 seed for the first time at a major, and a French Open champion with the confidence that comes from finally breaking through. For nearly five hours under the lights, that identity nearly crumbled. Zverev survived a tense five-set battle against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6, 6-4 in a match that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday. The 4-hour, 52-minute marathon was a test of endurance and nerve, with Zverev saving multiple break points in the final set before sealing the win. “I'm happy that I won this kind of battle,” Zverev said. “This is exactly the match that I needed.” His escape came just two nights after Novak Djokovic, the No. 4 seed and 24-time major champion, was eliminated in five sets, and with top-ranked Jannik Sinner sidelined by a right knee injury, Zverev’s survival kept the top seed from suffering the earliest loss of a No. 1 at a major since Lleyton Hewitt fell to Ivo Karlovic at Wimbledon in 2003.
Coco Gauff faced a far smoother path. The 2023 champion opened her campaign for a second US Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez. Gauff battled serving woes last year before a fourth-round exit, but this time she arrived with momentum from a Cincinnati title and deep runs at Wimbledon and Toronto. After Sonmez raised her level midway through the second set, Gauff regained control with poise. “I know that I can raise my level if I need to and I like to challenge my opponent to let them keep up the level the whole match,” Gauff said. “If they do, I clap my hands and I walk off court with my head held high.” She will next face either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina.
Rain forced delays on outer courts, restricting play to Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums, both equipped with retractable roofs. But the damp weather did little to dampen the spirits inside Armstrong. Gael Monfils, celebrating his 40th birthday, extended his Grand Slam career with a victory over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, and fans serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.” Following him, No. 17 seed Alex Eala thrilled a crowd of Filipino supporters by dispatching Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2.
Flavio Cobolli, the No. 5 seed and French Open runner-up, engineered a dramatic comeback from two sets down against Francisco Comesana, winning 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 4 hours, 12 minutes. After the match, Cobolli said he changed his entire outfit during a bathroom break. “In Grand Slams it’s never done. You have to fight until the last point,” he noted. Maria Sakkari, seeded 32nd, produced an even more startling turnaround. After falling behind 6-2, 4-0 when play finally resumed following rain, she rallied to defeat Robin Montgomery 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. “Just kept telling myself that everything is possible,” Sakkari said. “I just told myself, let’s try and hang in there, try and make more balls, and it worked.”
Among other winners, Madison Keys, the No. 22 seed, beat 19-year-old Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4. The 2017 runner-up had lost in the first round last year. “It’s always tough playing someone young and up and coming,” Keys said. Taylor Fritz, the No. 9 seed and 2024 US Open runner-up, swept past 18-year-old fellow American Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. French Open champion Mirra Andreeva defeated Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2. Second-seeded Elena Rybakina opened her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 17-year-old Thea Frodin, who served as Serena Williams’ body double in the film “King Richard.” No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic fell to Yulia Putintseva in three sets. Rain continues to threaten the schedule, with some first-round matches pushed to Wednesday.
Article commentary
Zverev’s five-set escape in the first round is a reminder that even the most accomplished players can be vulnerable on the big stage. The top seed’s narrow victory over Lorenzo Sonego showcased both his resilience and his occasional lapses in concentration. Having finally won his first major at Roland Garros, Zverev entered this tournament with a new level of belief, but nearly became the first top seed to lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam since 2003. The fact that he survived such a grueling test early could serve him well later in the fortnight. However, the physical toll of a nearly five-hour match at the start of a two-week event is a concern. If he can recover quickly, this battle might sharpen his focus. The men’s draw has already been shaken by Novak Djokovic’s surprising exit and Jannik Sinner’s absence due to injury, leaving the path wide open. Zverev’s ability to handle pressure in tight moments will be critical. Coco Gauff’s straightforward win reinforces her status as a serious contender. The 2023 champion has built impressive momentum, with a title in Cincinnati and semifinal runs at Wimbledon and Toronto. Her serving woes from last year appear to be under control, and her mental toughness was on display when she calmly weathered Sonmez’s mid-match surge. Gauff’s draw looks manageable, but she will face stiffer tests as the tournament progresses. The depth of the women’s field remains formidable, but Gauff has the game and the experience to go deep. The rain delays and the use of retractable roofs underscore the logistical challenges that weather can impose on Grand Slam scheduling. Players like Madison Keys and Elena Rybakina handled the disruptions well, while others like Maria Sakkari and Flavio Cobolli showed remarkable fortitude in coming back from seemingly hopeless positions. These comebacks highlight the unpredictability and drama that make the US Open compelling. From a broader perspective, the tournament is already missing top names due to injury, and the early exits of Djokovic and Arthur Fils have opened up opportunities for lower seeds and qualifiers. The resilience shown by veterans like Gael Monfils, who turned 40 and still competed at a high level, adds a layer of narrative richness. The US Open continues to produce stories of triumph and survival, and the first round has set the stage for a fascinating second week.