Zverev opens US Open campaign as Gauff and Eala also in action
Zverev seeks to rebound from his 2020 final loss as the US Open kicks off, with other rising stars also vying for early momentum.
Alexander Zverev began his 2024 US Open defence on Tuesday, taking on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the first round at Flushing Meadows. The German, who fell two sets to love in the 2020 final, entered the tournament as the top seed and will be looking to shed the memory of that loss.
Zverev's first‑round test
Despite a Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros last year, Zverev’s lead‑up to the hard‑court major has been uneven, with early exits in Montreal and a fourth‑round loss in Cincinnati. Sonego, ranked 89th, has never beaten Zverev in six previous meetings, giving the German a statistical edge.
"I definitely feel like my game has been coming back, and it's been better and better every practice session that I've had," said Zverev.
Both players will be eager to start strong; a win for Zverev would reinforce his claim as the tournament favourite, while an upset could open the draw for other contenders.
Other early‑round showdowns
American teen sensation Coco Gauff faces Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez in what looks like a routine victory for the four‑time Grand Slam champion. Gauff, fresh from a WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati, has already proven her mettle on the hard courts of New York.
In a contrasting storyline, the Philippines’ rising star Alexandra Eala meets American qualifier Mary Stoiana. Eala, fresh from a WTA title in Washington, will enjoy vocal support from the Filipino community at Louis Armstrong Stadium, while Stoiana hopes to make a mark after leading Texas A&M to an NCAA title.
Looking ahead, a smooth start for Zverev and Gauff could see them cruising to the later stages, bolstering their ranking points and sponsorship appeal. Conversely, any surprise defeats would give lower‑ranked players a confidence boost and could lead to a more open tournament.
