Alexander Zverev survived a huge scare at the US Open after beating Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a first-round thriller.
The top seed needed four hours and 53 minutes to overcome the Italian and reach the second round. The match stretched into the early hours of Wednesday at Flushing Meadows.
Zverev entered New York as a Grand Slam champion for the first time after winning the French Open in June. With world number one Jannik Sinner absent, the German carries strong expectations in New York.
However, world number 89 Sonego pushed him to the limit.
Zverev converted only one of seven break points in the opening set. Sonego responded strongly in the second, breaking early and taking control before serving out to love with an ace.
The third set went to a tense tie-break. Zverev then handed Sonego a crucial opening with a double fault, allowing the Italian to move 2-1 ahead.
Zverev faced another major test in the fourth set. After the players traded breaks, he found himself only two points from defeat.
The German held his nerve, though. He secured a crucial hold before breaking Sonego to level the match and force a deciding set.
Sonego then began to fade as the battle entered its final stages. Zverev took advantage and completed the comeback to avoid becoming the first top seed to lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam since Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2003.
“I’m just happy I won, that’s it,” Zverev said.
“I think it was an incredible battle, lots of ups and downs, nearly five hours. I think it was my longest first-round match at a Grand Slam.
“He would have beaten a lot of players but I’m happy to be through.
“I’m happy I won this kind of battle and it was exactly what I needed. Good things happen after you fight through these matches.”
Zverev also praised Sonego’s performance, particularly his serve and forehand.
“He is an amazing tennis player,” he said. “He has an amazing serve and forehand, and he can return so quickly.
“I would say I have one of the fastest second serves on tour, and he was attacking it all the time. I have to give credit to him, but I’m happy I managed to win in the end.”
Zverev admitted he did not produce his cleanest tennis but valued the fight more than his performance.
“Overall, it was a great battle and a match that I needed after the last couple of weeks,” he said.
