US Open: Top seed Alexander Zverev avoids first-round disaster, holds off Lorenzo Sonego in 5 sets
That could have been a whole lot worse for Alexander Zverev.
Top-ranked Alexander Zverev narrowly escaped a first-round upset at the US Open on Tuesday, defeating Italian newcomer Lorenzo Sonego in a grueling five-set match that lasted five hours. The No. 1 seed secured a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sonego, who was just two points away from winning in four sets before the German's break in the final set.
The extended match concluded at 1:55 a.m. local time, making it the sixth time since the Open Era began that a top seed has fallen in the first round, and the first time in over two decades. Zverev will face Quentin Halys in the second round. Despite converting only five of his 22 break points and committing nearly as many unforced errors (39 to 43), Zverev's dominance in the fifth set proved decisive in his narrow escape from history.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Zverev out-lasts Sonego in wild five-setter to advance at US Open sports.yahoo.com
