US Open ATP Day Three Round-Up | Alexander Zverev navigates Sonego scare as Fritz and Musetti avert trouble

Wednesday, 02 September 2026 at 07:58

Alexander Zverev passionately celebrating at Wimbledon

Day three of the US Open produced another dramatic mix of five-set battles and comfortable victories, with Flavio Cobolli completing the first comeback of his career from two sets down to reach the second round. Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti, meanwhile avoided major trouble to progress in straight sets, keeping their respective campaigns firmly on track. Alexander Zverev also managed to produce an epic win.

The weather again disrupted the schedule in New York, with rain forcing delays and several matches to be suspended or pushed back. Despite the interruptions, the day still delivered one of the tournament's most memorable comebacks so far, as Cobolli recovered from a difficult opening two sets to turn around a four-hour battle against Francisco Comesaña.

Zverev navigates trouble

Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 Lorenzo Sonego

Alexander Zverev was in serious trouble at points as he was taken the distance by Lorenzo Sonego in a protracted conclusion to proceedings in New York.

Zverev won the opener but disaster struck as Sonego took the game to him over the next two winning the second 6-3 then narrowly claiming a tie-break 9-7 to lead and head 7-6 up. But there was solace for Zverev who managed to win the next set 7-5.

Zverev won the decider 6-4 to move through and navigate the scare managing to win through in overtime in New York.

Cobolli completes career-first comeback

Francisco Comesaña 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 Flavio Cobolli

Flavio Cobolli produced the biggest comeback of his career, recovering from two sets down to defeat Francisco Comesaña after four hours and 14 minutes. The Argentine looked firmly in control after taking the opening two sets, leaving Cobolli with little margin for error. But the Italian gradually changed the direction of the match and began finding much more from his forehand.

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Cobolli took control of the third set and continued to build momentum in the fourth, breaking Comesaña again while becoming increasingly reliable on his own serve. That sent the match into a deciding set, although Comesaña immediately threatened to restore his advantage by moving 2-0 ahead. Cobolli remained composed, turned the set around and eventually completed the comeback.

The Italian dropped to his knees after hitting the winning shot before putting his hand to his ear following the handshake, taking in the reaction from the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd. Cobolli later explained that a change in mindset during the break between the second and third sets helped him turn the match around.

Flavio Cobolli (ITA) during his 1/4 final round match at the 2026 Roland Garros

Fritz cruises through American battle

Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 Darwin Blanch

Taylor Fritz made a straightforward start to his US Open campaign, defeating 18-year-old American wildcard Darwin Blanch in one hour and 42 minutes under the roof at Rod Laver Arena. The ninth seed controlled the baseline exchanges throughout and rarely allowed Blanch to settle into the match.

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Fritz was particularly dominant behind his first serve, winning 91% of those points, going 49-for-54 in the match. He also struck 14 aces and converted four of his 16 break opportunities, while saving both break points he faced. Blanch struggled to match Fritz's consistency and power as the match progressed.

The 2024 finalist is looking to go one step further this year and claim his first Grand Slam title. He arrives in New York with confidence after winning the ATP 500 event in Washington during the North American hard-court swing. Fritz will face Mattia Bellucci in the second round.

Taylor Fritz hits a backhand from the baseline.

Monfils turns back the clock on 40th birthday

Gael Monfils 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 Adolfo Daniel Vallejo

Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday in style, producing a remarkable turnaround to defeat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo and reach the second round of the US Open. The Frenchman struggled badly at the beginning, with Vallejo breaking twice in a row and winning five consecutive games to take a commanding lead before comfortably closing out the opening set 6-2.

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What followed was a vintage Monfils performance in front of an adoring New York crowd. The Frenchman completely flipped the match after the first set, winning 18 of the next 21 games and producing seven breaks while not dropping his serve again. Vallejo could not cope with the sudden change in intensity as Monfils took over the baseline exchanges and turned the match into a celebration.

Monfils finished with 37 winners to Vallejo's 20, adding another memorable chapter to his long Grand Slam career. The victory came in his 70th appearance in a Grand Slam main draw, and with the Frenchman preparing to retire, his final appearance at a major tournament is already turning into one of the more emotional stories of this year's US Open.

Monfils prepares for his retirement in 2026

Musetti sends tricky opponent packing

Arthur Fery 3-6, 3-6, 5-7 Lorenzo Musetti

Lorenzo Musetti avoided the kind of first-round scare that can derail a Grand Slam campaign, defeating Arthur Fery in straight sets. The British player made the match competitive, particularly in the third set, but Musetti consistently found ways to produce the decisive points and complete the victory.

The Italian finished with 22 winners compared with Fery's 17, while also keeping his unforced errors considerably lower, 28 to 43. Musetti's pressure on return was another major difference, as he converted six break opportunities while Fery managed only two breaks of his own.

Although the scoreline suggests a relatively comfortable afternoon, Fery's game presented a tricky challenge in the opening round. Musetti handled it without allowing the match to slip away and now moves into the second round with his sights set on a deep run. The world No. 14 will next face Australian wildcard Dane Sweeney.

Lorenzo Musetti looks at the ball as he prepares to serve at the Austrian Open

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Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist

Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.

Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.

He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.

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