SPORTS

Alexander Zverev wins in 5 sets, Coco Gauff starts her quest for a second US Open title

PUBLISHED Sep 2, 2026, 2:41 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 31

Center 100%

Sources: 31

Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided a historic first-round exit at the US Open, rallying past Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in a match lasting nearly five hours. Elevated to the men's top seed following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal and Novak Djokovic's early elimination, Zverev struggled before securing the deciding set early Wednesday. In the women's draw, defending champion Coco Gauff began her campaign with a steady 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zvenep Sonmez, overcoming early pressure to advance to the second round. Inclement weather disrupted play across Flushing Meadows, restricting early matches exclusively to the retractable-roof arenas of Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. Notable indoor wins included Gael Monfils celebrating his 40th birthday with a victory and Maria Sakkari staging a dramatic comeback against Robin Montgomery. Tournament organizers worked to clear the backlog of delayed first-round fixtures as outdoor courts finally opened mid-afternoon.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 25 2026 Tournament organizers announced seedings following multiple high-profile player withdrawals.
On August 31 2026 Persistent heavy rain showers disrupted the opening day tournament schedule.
On September 1 2026 Novak Djokovic suffered a shock five-set defeat in early rounds.
On September 2 2026 Alexander Zverev completed a gruelling five-set victory past Lorenzo Sonego.
On September 2 2026 Coco Gauff opened her title defense with a straight-sets win.
On September 2 2026 Maria Sakkari completed a remarkable comeback win over Robin Montgomery.
On September 2 2026 Outdoor courts resumed play after afternoon weather delays cleared.
On September 3 2026 Remaining delayed first-round matches will conclude across all courts.
On September 5 2026 Second-round competition will transition into decisive third-round elimination matches.
On September 13 2026 Tournament officials will crown the final men's singles champion.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: US sports media audiences focus heavily on major tennis upsets.
Possible long-term US impact: Broadcasters anticipate higher viewership for unpredictable late-stage tournament matches.
Most affected groups: American tennis fans, tournament organizers, and competing professional athletes.
Reader priority: Follow official tournament updates and accredited sports broadcast networks closely.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 31
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 31

Explain Framing

Left: Focuses on athlete resilience, mental health, and weather disruptions. Center: Reports match scores, scheduling disruptions, and tournament seedings objectively. Right: Emphasizes individual athletic grit, national pride, and competitive dominance.