US Open: Sonego falls just short against Zverev after a 4-hour, 52-minute marathon

Lorenzo Sonego came within two points of one of the biggest wins of his career, but Alexander Zverev escaped a five-set US Open thriller that ended around 2 a.m. in New York.

The German, ranked No. 2 in the world and the tournament’s top seed, won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 after 4 hours and 52 minutes on court. Sonego had taken a two-sets-to-one lead and was serving at 5-4 in the fourth set when victory appeared close.

Instead, Zverev turned the match around. He recovered from the difficult position, forced a deciding set and completed the comeback, earning a place in the second round. His performance in the key moments, particularly on serve, proved decisive.

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It was a beautiful match, I couldn’t have asked for a better match. It was really beautiful for the crowd too.

Sonego left Flushing Meadows defeated but with his head held high. “It was a beautiful match, I couldn’t have asked for a better match. It was really beautiful for the crowd too,” he said. He later added that he was pleased with how he played and with his attitude from the opening point to the last.

“It was decided by two or three points,” Sonego said. “Maybe I could have done something more there, but he is very strong and, in the important moments, he served really well. I can only be satisfied with my tennis and the way I fought.”

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It was decided by two or three points. Maybe I could have done something more there, but he is very strong and, in the important moments, he served really well. I can only be satisfied with my tennis and the way I fought.