Alexander Zverev, now the top-seeded player in a Grand Slam for the first time, faced a challenging match at the U.S. Open. Despite almost facing an early exit, the French Open champion managed to pull off a comeback victory against Lorenzo Sonego after a grueling five-set battle that lasted nearly five hours.
Following Novak Djokovic’s surprising elimination in the previous round, Zverev narrowly avoided becoming another top-ranked player to fall early in the tournament. Due to Jannik Sinner’s absence due to a knee injury, Zverev was elevated to the No. 1 seed at the event. His victory helped him avoid being the first top-seeded player to exit in the opening round of a major since 2003.
Reflecting on his tough win, Zverev expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I’m happy that I won this kind of battle. This is exactly the match that I needed.”
In contrast, Coco Gauff had a smoother start, securing a comfortable win against Zeynep Sonmez in her pursuit of a second U.S. Open title. Gauff displayed confidence and control throughout the match, setting her sights on her upcoming second-round clash against either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina.
At the U.S. Open, Gael Monfils and Alex Eala provided an exciting atmosphere on a rainy day at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday with a victory, while Eala delighted her Filipino supporters with a strong win over Mary Stoiana.
Gauff’s return to the tournament this year showcased her improved form and determination after previous challenges. Following her recent successes in Cincinnati and Wimbledon, Gauff aims to continue her impressive run at the U.S. Open.
Notable comebacks were witnessed at the tournament, with Flavio Cobolli and Maria Sakkari staging remarkable turnarounds in their matches. Cobolli’s perseverance led to a thrilling comeback victory, while Sakkari’s resilience helped her overcome a significant deficit to secure a hard-fought win.
Despite rain delays affecting some matches, players like Madison Keys and Elena Rybakina managed to secure victories. Keys expressed relief after overcoming a tough challenge, emphasizing the pressure of playing in the opening rounds of a Grand Slam.
The tournament also saw surprises, with No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic falling to Yulia Putintseva in a closely contested match. As the competition progresses, players are gearing up for more intense battles and thrilling encounters at the U.S. Open.