Alexander Zverev, the World No. 2 and reigning French Open champion, launched his US Open 2026 campaign with a gruelling five-set win over Lorenzo Sonego on 2 September inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, setting his sights firmly on a second Grand Slam title in New York. The top-seeded German prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in what proved to be a stern test of his resolve in the first round.

A Hard-Fought Opening Win

Sonego pushed Zverev to the limit across more than three hours of play, taking the third set in a tiebreak and forcing the German to dig deep in the fourth before the world number two steadied himself to close out the match. The victory underlined both Zverev's quality and the vulnerability that has occasionally surfaced in high-pressure situations — a trait he appears determined to iron out as the fortnight unfolds.

Zverev on His French Open Breakthrough

Speaking in an interview, Zverev reflected candidly on the significance of finally lifting a Grand Slam trophy. 'There was definitely some weight on my shoulders, for sure, especially at the age that I'm at. You never know if it's ever going to happen. So, I was very happy to have finally lifted my first Grand Slam trophy, but now, once you do it, you want more. You want to keep going, you want to continue playing good tennis, and hopefully be a contender for the next one as well,' he said.

He credited sustained effort over many years for the French Open triumph, while also acknowledging the emotional shift that separated that final from previous near-misses. 'I think it was just the result of the work that I've done over the years. A lot of times, I came up just short. That's what maybe made the difference in the end against Flavia in the fifth set. I was feeling really ready to win, which was a different kind of feeling compared to the other finals. I'm happy that it happened,' Zverev added.

Targeting Another Title in New York

With the French Open title now in hand, Zverev arrived at Flushing Meadows projecting confidence about his current form. 'We're in New York now, and I want to try and do it again. I feel like I'm finding my rhythm; I feel like I'm finding my game again, which is a very nice feeling. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead, and hopefully I can be at my best again,' he said.

His next assignment is a second-round clash against Quentin Halys, a match that should offer a clearer sense of whether Zverev's game is truly clicking or whether the Sonego scare signals deeper inconsistencies to manage.

The New York Factor

Zverev also spoke warmly about the distinctive energy of the US Open and what makes competing in New York unlike any other Slam. 'I feel the energy in the stadium, the crowds, is always very different; it's always very high. People are energetic; it's not a secret. New York night sessions are very, very special, so I look forward to playing those as well. But yeah, it's this Grand Slam with the biggest stadium; I think that sums up New York quite well,' he said.

This is the first time Zverev enters the US Open as a reigning Grand Slam champion, a psychological shift that could prove decisive as the draw tightens in the second week. Whether he can sustain the form that delivered his maiden major remains the defining question of his 2026 season.