Alexander Zverev survives 5-set match

Alexander Zverev spent nearly five hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium before getting through his U.S. Open opener. The top seed beat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in first-round play that ended at 1:55 a.m. on Wednesday in New York. The ATP said the match lasted 4 hours 53 minutes, while the U.S. Open described it as a five-set comeback by the German. Zverev advanced to the second round after being pushed to the edge by the world No. 89. ### How close was Zverev to going out in round one? The fourth set turned with Zverev close to elimination. The ATP said he was two points from defeat while serving at 4-5, 30/30 in that set before regaining control and forcing a decider. Sonego had already taken the third-set tiebreak 9-7 after Zverev failed to convert a set point on return, then double-faulted to fall two sets to one behind. (usopen.org) The U.S. Open said Sonego’s upset bid came up short after the Italian stood two points from the win. (atptour.com) ### What did Zverev say after the match? Zverev called it an “incredible battle” after the match. “A lot of ups and downs. Nearly five hours for a first round. I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life,” he said, according to both the ATP and the U.S. Open. (usopen.org) The German also said relief was his main emotion. “I’m just happy I won. That’s it,” he said, according to the ATP. He added that Sonego “played amazing tennis” and “would have beaten a lot of players for sure.” ### What did the numbers show about the match? The ATP said Zverev created 22 break-point chances and converted five of them. (usopen.org) The U.S. Open reported the same conversion total and said Sonego raised his first-serve percentage into the 70th percentile as he changed the match by attacking the net more often. (atptour.com) Sonego also arrived with difficult history in the matchup. The ATP said Zverev had been 6-0 against him before Tuesday night, and the U.S. Open said the loss left Sonego 0-7 against Zverev and 1-10 against Top 10 players at majors. ### Why did this match stand out in Zverev’s tournament? (usopen.org) The ATP said Zverev was playing as the top seed at a major for the first time in his career. The match was also his second-longest at a Grand Slam, shorter only than his five-hour, 27-minute Australian Open semifinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz in January, according to the tour. (usopen.org) The U.S. Open noted that Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year and brought that form to New York as the No. 1 seed in the men’s draw. His escape against Sonego kept alive a run at another major title after what the ATP described as a 2-2 stretch across Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. (atptour.com) ### Who does Zverev play next? Quentin Halys is next for Zverev in the second round. The ATP said Zverev leads Halys 2-0 in their head-to-head meetings, both of which came earlier this year in Miami and at Roland Garros. The official men’s singles draw lists Zverev against Halys in round two at Flushing Meadows. (usopen.org) The winner will move on in the top quarter of the bracket as the tournament continues this week. (usopen.org) (atptour.com)