Alexander Zverev, now the top seed in a Grand Slam for the first time and boosted by his recent major win, narrowly escaped an early exit at the U.S. Open. In a grueling battle lasting nearly five hours, he overcame Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4. Zverev’s victory prevented another top player’s upset following Novak Djokovic’s recent elimination. With Jannik Sinner’s absence due to injury, Zverev took the No. 1 spot at the U.S. Open. Had he lost, he would have been the first top-seeded player to fall in the first round of a major since 2003.
Zverev expressed relief at his hard-fought win, stating it was precisely the challenge he needed. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff cruised to victory in her opening match, defeating Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4. Gauff demonstrated her ability to elevate her game when needed and looks forward to facing either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina in the next round.
In other matches, Flavio Cobolli and Maria Sakkari staged remarkable comebacks. Cobolli, the French Open runner-up, recovered from a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Comesana, while Sakkari fought back from a significant deficit to win against Robin Montgomery. Both players showcased mental resilience and determination in their victories.
Despite rain delays affecting some matches, the tournament continued with exciting performances from players like Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, and Belinda Bencic. Keys, the No. 22 seed, triumphed over Alina Korneeva, Rybakina claimed victory over Thea Frodin, and Bencic fell to Yulia Putintseva in a hard-fought three-set match.
The U.S. Open witnessed spirited matches and unexpected turnarounds as players showcased their skills and resilience on the court.
