Alexander Zverev, now the top-seeded player in a Grand Slam event for the first time, displayed his newfound confidence after clinching a major title. Despite facing a potential early exit from the U.S. Open, the French Open champion managed to secure a hard-fought victory over Lorenzo Sonego in a grueling five-set match that lasted nearly five hours, ending in the early hours of Wednesday.
Following Novak Djokovic’s surprising elimination in the previous round, Zverev narrowly avoided a similar fate, preserving his position as the tournament’s top seed. A loss would have marked the first time since 2003 that the top-seeded male player was eliminated in the opening round of a major event.
Expressing his relief, Zverev acknowledged the significance of winning such a challenging match, stating, “This is exactly the match that I needed.” Meanwhile, Coco Gauff advanced smoothly in her U.S. Open campaign, defeating Zeynep Sonmez in straight sets, setting up a second-round encounter against either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina.
On a rainy day at the tournament, the atmosphere inside Louis Armstrong Stadium remained vibrant. Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday with a victory, serenaded by fans, while Alex Eala triumphed over Mary Stoiana in front of her enthusiastic Filipino supporters.
Gauff’s journey at the U.S. Open last year was marred by serving issues, but this year she returned as a formidable contender, having clinched the Cincinnati title and making impressive runs at Wimbledon and Toronto. In another thrilling comeback, Flavio Cobolli and Maria Sakkari both overcame significant deficits to secure victories in their respective matches.
Despite rain delays impacting some matches and causing scheduling disruptions, the action at the U.S. Open remained exciting and unpredictable, with players showcasing resilience and determination on the court.
