Zverev Outlasts Sonego in Nearly 5-Hour US Open Marathon

Alexander Zverev defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4 in a protracted match that concluded within the early morning.

The match lasted almost 4 hours and 53 minutes.

“Nearly five hours for a first round, I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life,” Zverev mentioned in an on court docket interview after the match. “Credit to him, he played amazing tennis today, would have beaten a lot of players for sure. But I’m happy to be through.”

Zverev gained his first Grand Slam title on the French Open earlier this yr, then misplaced to top-ranked Jannik Sinner within the Wimbledon remaining.

The Associated Press reported that Sonego pressured a decisive third-set tiebreaker after Zverev broke him whereas he served for the set at 5-4. Zverev appeared to have the tiebreaker in hand, putting consecutive serves of 133 mph and 141 mph to guide 7-6, however Sonego gained the subsequent two factors and Zverev double-faulted handy Sonego the set.

Zverev broke for a 3-2 lead within the fourth set, just for Sonego to interrupt proper again. Sonego then served for the match at 5-4, however Zverev held and broke once more to guide 6-5 earlier than closing out the set 7-5. Sonego had his hand or wrist examined by a coach earlier than the beginning of the fifth set; Zverev broke for a 3-2 lead quickly after and didn’t relinquish it.

“Actually, I’m happy that I won this kind of battle because this is exactly the match that I needed,” Zverev mentioned. “I struggled the last two tournaments, I didn’t play well. And sometimes good things happen after you fight through one of these matches. So I’m hoping that will be the case for me this tournament.”

Zverev closed out the interview acknowledging the hour.

“I think everybody’s tired, everybody wants to go to sleep,” he mentioned, “so have a good night, and see you tomorrow.”

Zverev, the 2020 US Open runner-up, advances to face Frenchman Quentin Halys within the second spherical.