Alexander Zverev has made a dramatic start to his campaign at the 2026 US Open, where he is competing as the tournament's No. 1 seed. His first two matches have been grueling, stretching over a total of ten sets and lasting more than nine hours on the court.
In his opening match, Zverev narrowly defeated Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller, and he faced another intense battle in the second round against Quentin Halys. Zverev emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3. His first match concluded at 1:55 a.m. local time, followed by the second match ending at 2:15 a.m., marking a late night for the German star.
This unusual start has placed Zverev in the record books as the first top seed in the Open Era to begin a Grand Slam with back-to-back five-set matches, according to ESPN. Following his victory against Halys, Zverev celebrated by going shirtless on the court, a testament to his relief and determination.
Throughout the match, Zverev displayed his powerful serve, recording an impressive 29 aces and winning 82 of 103 first-serve points, which equates to an 80% success rate. However, he struggled during critical moments, converting only 5 of 20 break points. This follows a similar pattern from his first match, where he was 5-for-22 on break points against Sonego.
Despite his powerful serve, Zverev's overall performance was inconsistent. At times, he appeared passive at the baseline, and his forehand lacked the usual power. In contrast, Halys struggled with his accuracy, finishing the match with 63 unforced errors compared to Zverev's 49. If Zverev hopes to defend his title from Roland-Garros earlier this year, he will need to elevate his game significantly.
Looking ahead, Zverev's next challenge will be against No. 25 seed Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. The landscape of the tournament has shifted dramatically, with several top seeds eliminated early. Notable upsets included the losses of No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 6 seed Alex de Minaur, and No. 13 seed Lorenzo Musetti, all of whom could have posed significant challenges for Zverev in the later rounds.
As the draw stands, Zverev's path to the semifinals appears more manageable, with potential fourth-round opponents being No. 21 Luciano Darderi and No. 31 Zizou Bergs. The absence of several high-profile competitors, including No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic, who was ousted in the first round, has opened the field, creating a unique opportunity for Zverev.
However, while Zverev may have a favorable draw, his recent performances have raised concerns about his vulnerability. This could present a golden opportunity for American players to break a 23-year drought since Andy Roddick's US Open victory in 2003. Roddick was present during Zverev's match, providing commentary for ESPN, adding another layer of interest to Zverev's journey.
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