NEW YORK - Alexander Zverev survived a gruelling five-set battle with Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego to reach the US Open second round, while persistent rain disrupted the schedule at Flushing Meadows and forced organisers to postpone several matches.

The French Open champion and Wimbledon finalist, seeded at the top of the men’s draw following Jannik Sinner’s injury withdrawal, prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 after four hours and 53 minutes. Zverev was pushed to the brink but maintained his composure during the decisive stages, recovering from a set deficit to seal victory and set up a second-round meeting with Quentin Halys. “It was a great battle and a match that I needed,” Zverev said after the contest, praising Sonego’s powerful serve, forehand and aggressive return game.

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American ninth seed Taylor Fritz also made a confident start, defeating compatriot and 18-year-old Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The 2024 finalist, who won in Washington before an early Montreal exit, is among the leading American hopes of ending the country’s 23-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam singles champion since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph. “I’d be pretty disappointed if I wasn’t able to achieve that,” Fritz said of his ambition.

Flavio Cobolli, the fifth seed, also survived a five-set test against Francisco Comesana, winning 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, while women’s fifth seed Mirra Andreeva eased past Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2. Coco Gauff began her campaign for a third Grand Slam title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zeynep Sonmez. Rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala impressed again, crushing qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2.

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Madison Keys, the 2017 runner-up, overcame Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4, while second seed Elena Rybakina defeated American teenager Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2. Lorenzo Musetti beat Wimbledon semi-finalist Arthur Fery 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. Rain, however, remained the biggest obstacle, delaying play on outdoor courts and forcing several matches to be cancelled. Alex de Minaur’s scheduled meeting with qualifier Andrea Guerrieri was among those postponed, leaving organisers with 14 first-round matches to complete on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Gael Monfils marked his 40th birthday with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 comeback win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo to keep his farewell Grand Slam campaign alive.

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