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Zverev Beats Sonego in Five Sets, Avoids Upset

9/2/2026

20 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Alexander Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego in five sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4.
The match lasted 4 hours 52 minutes and ended at 1:55 a.m. EDT on Sept. 1, 2026.
Zverev became the first men’s No. 1 seed to avoid a first-round loss since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.
The victory maintained top seeds’ 11-0 record in five-set first-round matches in the Open Era.
Zverev reached 100 career major wins and improved to 7-0 all-time against Sonego.

History

Historical Context

After Lleyton Hewitt, the world No. 1, suffered a first-round defeat at Wimbledon in 2003—the first defending champion to do so—top seeds went unbeaten in opening matches for 23 years. Alexander Zverev’s 4-hour-52-minute, five-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego on 1 September 2026 kept that streak alive, underscoring the ATP’s focus on seed protection.

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Story summary

Alexander Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego in five sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4.
The match lasted 4 hours 52 minutes and ended at 1:55 a.m. EDT on Sept. 1, 2026.
Zverev became the first men’s No. 1 seed to avoid a first-round loss since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.
The victory maintained top seeds’ 11-0 record in five-set first-round matches in the Open Era.
Zverev reached 100 career major wins and improved to 7-0 all-time against Sonego.

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