Zverev survives five-set marathon to advance at U.S. Open after near first-round exit

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Zverev survives five-set marathon to advance at U.S. Open after near first-round exit
Alcaraz returns from injury with straight-sets U.S. Open win as Djokovic suffers historic first-round exit
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Alexander Zverev survived a five-set marathon against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego to advance to the U.S. Open second round, finishing at 1:55 a.m. local time after 4 hours and 52 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The top-seeded German, who won this year’s French Open, prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7-9), 7-5, 6-4 in a match that saw him stumble midway through the first set but avoid a historic first-round exit for a top seed .
Zverev, the world No. 2, broke early in the first set but later faced a dip in form as Sonego, ranked 89th, capitalized on long rallies and net approaches to level the match. The Italian took the second and third sets, including a tiebreak, before Zverev regrouped to force a decider. The German sealed the win with a break at 3-2 in the fifth, then held serve to close it out. “He played fantastically, I’m just happy to be through. It was an incredible battle,” Zverev said afterward .
Rain disrupted the schedule at Flushing Meadows, delaying play on outer courts by nearly four hours. Americans Madison Keys, Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz advanced under the roof earlier in the day .
Elsewhere, Gaël Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory over Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The 2016 U.S. Open semifinalist, playing his final major before retirement, extended his record for most Grand Slam match wins by a Frenchman to 131. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” during his on-court interview, where Monfils said, “To play on my 40th birthday is very special. The atmosphere here is always electric” .
Flavio Cobolli, the No. 5 seed, also rallied from two sets down to defeat Argentina’s Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 4 hours and 13 minutes. Elena Rybakina, the No. 2 seed, dispatched Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2 despite limited preparation due to an Achilles injury sustained in Cincinnati .
Zverev will next face France’s Quentin Halys, whom he defeated in four sets at the French Open this year . Monfils’ second-round opponent is American 14th seed Learner Tien .
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