Zverev vs Sonego at US Open 2026 First Round: Statistics Favor German

Alexander Zverev, the 2026 French Open champion, will enter this year's US Open as a top seed, facing Lorenzo Sonego in the first round. This match is considered lopsided based on current form and historical performance at the tournament. Zverev has had an incredible 2026 season. He won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, defeating Casper Ruud in the final, and immediately followed it up with a Wimbledon final appearance, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in five sets. His Grand Slam record this year is 18-2, a number reserved for the elite. This shows he has moved past the shadow of his 2026 US Open final collapse against Dominic Thiem, where he led by two sets before losing. "Zverev has proven he is no longer the 'almost man.' The Roland Garros victory released the psychological pressure and allowed him to play more freely," an analyst noted. Since 2026, Zverev has never lost in the first round of the US Open, an impressive record of consistency at this event. In contrast, Lorenzo Sonego is in a difficult phase. The Italian once reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open, but since then his ranking has steadily declined. At the US Open, Sonego's record is particularly poor: he has won only 3 of 11 matches there (27% win rate), with five first-round exits. This is in stark contrast to his win rate of over 50% at other Grand Slams. This disparity suggests that Sonego's aggressive forehand-based game is ill-suited to the fast hard courts and harsh conditions of New York. "Sonego is a talented player, but the US Open seems to be his inherent weakness. Statistics don't lie, and facing a peak-form Zverev is a massive challenge," a sports journalist commented. Technically, Zverev possesses a powerful serve thanks to his 1.98m height, which neutralizes Sonego's main weapon – the forehand. Meanwhile, Sonego often struggles when forced to return powerful serves. It is predicted that Zverev will control the match from the start and win comfortably. However, the US Open always holds surprises. Sonego could use his experience and crowd support to create an upset. But on all fronts, Zverev is a strong contender for the title, and this opening match is merely a stepping stone for him to continue his quest for a second Grand Slam title.