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Zverev Survives Near Five‑Hour Opener as Rain Pushes US Open Schedule Off Track

Zverev’s comeback exposed operational strain at Flushing Meadows, rain concentrating play under roofed show courts and leaving 14 first‑round matches unfinished.

Overview

  • Alexander Zverev edged Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a 4-hour, 53-minute match that finished in the early hours after Tuesday night and sent the No. 1 seed into the second round.
  • Zverev is scheduled to face Quentin Halys next and said the gruelling win was the match he needed after a difficult lead-up to the tournament.
  • Persistent rain forced play onto Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums with their roofs closed, creating a backlog of about 14 unfinished first‑round matches that organisers must complete in the coming session.
  • Rising players and veterans also advanced on the compressed card: Coco Gauff, Alexandra Eala, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys won opening matches while Gaël Monfils marked his 40th birthday with a US Open singles win.
  • Broadcast coverage drew separate scrutiny as viewer complaints about on-air commentary, especially remarks and name pronunciations by a veteran analyst, added to fan frustration during the late‑night matches and could influence broadcaster choices for late sessions.