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

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

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.