Alexander Zverev avoided a shock exit from the US Open by battling past Lorenzo Sonego in a roller-coaster first round clash that didn’t finish until almost 2am local time.

The German top seed faced the prospect of crashing out of the match numerous times throughout his gut-busting five-hour 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 win. At one stage he was down two sets to one and was broken early in the fourth frame. Later in the fourth set, he was also two points away from losing to the world No.89.

Zverev continued to be tested in the decider before prevailing. In the fourth game, he saved a break point before going on to break the Sonego serve. Providing him with enough of a margin to go on and seal victory in New York.

“I’m just happy I won. That’s it,” Zverev said on court.

“Incredible Battle. A lot of ups and downs. Nearly 5 hours for a first round; I think this is the longest first round match I’ve ever played in my life.

“Credit to him (Sonego), he played amazing tennis and would have beaten a lot of players for sure.

“I’m happy to be through.”

Leading into the US Open, Zverev hasn’t enjoyed the best preparation, with a first round loss at the Canadian Masters and then a third round exit from Cincinnati. Since reaching the final at Wimbledon, he has won only two out of five matches played.

“I’m happy that I won this kind of battle because this is exactly the match that I needed,” Zverev explains.

“I struggled in the last two tournaments. I didn’t play well.

“Sometimes good things happen after you fight through one of these matches. I’m hoping that will be the case for me this tournament.”

Five-set battles are nothing unusual for the 29-year-old, who has now played 17 during the opening week of a Grand Slam so far in his career. This is more than any other top 10 player since the ATP ranking system was introduced in 1973, according to Opta Ace.

Zverev’s latest win is his 100th at a major event since 2020. He is only the third male player to reach this milestone during this period, after Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

In the second round, the world No.2 will play Quentin Halys, who defeated Facundo Díaz Acosta in his opening match.