Zverev Survives Sonego Scare in Five-Set Thriller at US Open

Arthur Ashe Stadium that night was not for the faint-hearted. As the clock passed midnight, Alexander Zverev – the 1m98 German – was still standing there, sweat-soaked, facing Lorenzo Sonego, an unseeded Italian with a forehand capable of tearing through any defense. I have followed Zverev since his challenger days, and I know this: when he needs a fifth set in the second round of a Grand Slam, that is not a sign of dominance, but a warning bell. The match ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4 in favor of Zverev, the No. 4 seed. But looking at the flow, this was not an easy win as the scoreline might suggest. Zverev started well, taking the first set 6-4, but Sonego – ranked around 58th in the world – surged back strongly, winning the second set 6-3 and the third in a nail-biting 7-9 tiebreak. It was only in the fourth and fifth sets that the class of a Grand Slam finalist showed, as Zverev took them 7-5 and 6-4 to close out the match after more than three and a half hours. The notable thing here is not just the result, but how Zverev won. He failed to show the dominance expected of a top-5 player against an opponent outside the top 50. Sonego, with his aggressive baseline play and early ball-taking, neutralized much of Zverev's serve power in the middle two sets. The third-set tiebreak was the highlight: Zverev had chances but could not convert, losing 7-9 in a sequence where both played under immense pressure. From my experience following matches, I can say this: when a big player struggles like this against an inferior opponent in the second round, it is usually a sign of inconsistent form or mentality, not that the opponent is too strong. Looking at the broader context, this match perfectly reflects Zverev's 2026 profile. He had a successful season, reaching the French Open final and Australian Open semifinal, plus winning the Rome Masters 1000. But simultaneously, he maintained the 'nearly man' image – someone who goes deep but cannot touch a Grand Slam title. Two Grand Slam finals (US Open 2026 and French Open 2026) both ended in defeat, and the Sonego match was a microcosm of that issue: creating pressure but not being sharp enough to close out matches earlier. A true title contender at the US Open should dispatch a No. 58-ranked player in three or four sets, not five with a lost tiebreak. The truth is, this victory offers little reassurance for Zverev's fans. He will need significant improvement to go further in this tournament. History shows Zverev often struggles against opponents with aggressive playing styles who know how to pressure his second serve. Sonego exploited exactly that weakness, and if a No. 58-ranked player can do it, bigger opponents in later rounds certainly will too. With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz eliminated early at that year's tournament, Zverev's half of the draw opened up more than ever, but he was the one creating his own challenges. The most important takeaway from this match is not the scoreline, but the question: does Zverev have the mental fortitude to overcome himself? He possesses one of the best serves on tour, a powerful forehand, and remarkable movement for his 1m98 frame. But those qualities only reach full potential when the mind is steady. The Sonego match showed a Zverev who could be pushed into trouble by an inferior opponent, and that is something bigger opponents will exploit. He advanced past the second round, but the road ahead is long, and the lessons from this match will determine how far he can go at Flushing Meadows that year.