NEW YORK : Alexander Zverev survived a five-set battle with Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday to reach the U.S. Open second round and keep his bid for a third consecutive Grand Slam final alive after rain disrupted play at Flushing Meadows.
The German, the top seed in New York following the withdrawal of injured world number one Jannik Sinner, overcame Italy’s Sonego 6-4 3-6 6-7(7) 7-5 6-4 in a marathon four-hour, 53-minute contest.
Zverev was twice within two points of defeat but held his nerve in the crucial moments to advance to a meeting with Quentin Halys.
“He is an amazing tennis player,” Zverev told reporters. “He has an amazing serve and forehand, and he can return so quickly.”
Zverev, the French Open champion and Wimbledon finalist, said Sonego repeatedly targeted his second serve and praised his opponent’s aggressive approach.
Overall, it was a great battle and a match that I needed after the last couple of weeks,” he said.
Rain caused further disruption to the schedule, with several matches delayed, while Americans Madison Keys, Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz advanced under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Keys, the 2017 runner-up, avoided the first-round nerves that contributed to her early exit last year, beating Alina Korneeva 7-5 6-4.
“It’s so hard to play the first round of a Grand Slam. So nervous and wanting to do well,” Keys said.
Keys will face Hungary’s Anna Bondar in the second round.
