US Open 2026: Zverev Survives Epic Scare as Gauff, Fritz, Rybakina Shine on Rain-Hit Day 3

 

NEW YORK, September 1: Day 3 of the 2026 US Open delivered a compelling blend of drama, resilience and ruthless efficiency, with rain repeatedly disrupting the schedule but unable to dampen the intensity at Flushing Meadows. The headline act belonged to top seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a monumental five-set battle against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego, while Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Elena Rybakina and rising star Alexandra Eala marched confidently into the second round. 

Zverev escapes a sensational scare

The biggest drama unfolded under the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where top seed Alexander Zverev was pushed to the absolute limit by world No. 89 Lorenzo Sonego before prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4.

The German, fresh from winning his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year, looked destined for an unexpectedly early exit as Sonego produced fearless shot-making and repeatedly threatened to seize control. Zverev eventually summoned his considerable fighting spirit to overturn the danger in a marathon 4-hour, 52-minute contest. 

Sonego was only two points from victory at one stage, making Zverev's escape all the more remarkable. The Italian nevertheless departs with enormous credit after producing one of the most courageous performances of the opening round. 

Gauff begins title quest in assured fashion

Fourth seed and 2023 champion Coco Gauff made an impressive start to her campaign for a second US Open crown, overcoming Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4.

Gauff looked particularly sharp with her revamped serve and controlled the opening set in just 32 minutes. Sonmez raised her level in the second, but Gauff demonstrated admirable composure at the crucial moment. With Sonmez leading 3-2 and earning three break points, the American saved all three before breaking immediately afterwards to seize a 4-3 lead. 

The victory extended Gauff's impressive summer record to 15-2, following her Cincinnati triumph and semifinal appearances at Wimbledon and Toronto. She struck five aces, won 64% of her second-serve points and finished with 18 winners. 

Fritz delivers a commanding American performance

Ninth seed Taylor Fritz dispatched fellow American teenager Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a clinical 100-minute performance.

Fritz's serve was the decisive weapon. He fired 14 aces, committed only one double fault and won an outstanding 94% of first-serve points. Blanch, despite flashes of brilliance, finished with 33 unforced errors. 

The victory continues Fritz's bid to improve on his best US Open showing—the 2024 final. He now faces Italy's Mattia Bellucci or qualifier Zsombor Piros. 

Keys shows veteran poise

American Madison Keys negotiated a tense encounter with 19-year-old Alina Korneeva, prevailing 7-5, 6-4.

Keys had endured a disappointing first-round exit in New York last year, but this time her experience and composure proved decisive. She survived the nervy passages and closed out both sets with authority. 

Rybakina cruises despite rain

Second seed Elena Rybakina began her campaign with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over 17-year-old American wild card Thea Frodin.

The match was delayed by almost three hours because of rain, but Rybakina quickly established her superiority. She broke Frodin for a 4-2 lead in the opening set and then repeatedly applied pressure in the second. 

The Kazakh star, already the 2026 Australian Open champion, remains firmly in contention for the world No. 1 ranking. 

Eala makes another emphatic statement

One of the most exciting performances came from 17th seed Alexandra Eala, who swept aside American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2.

The Filipino star stormed to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and maintained her relentless pressure throughout. Eala saved all six break points she faced and converted four of eight opportunities on Stoiana's serve. 

It means Eala has reached the second round for the second consecutive year. Her reward is a meeting with Oleksandra Oliynykova, providing an opportunity for revenge after the Ukrainian defeated her in Strasbourg earlier this year. 

Putintseva produces one of the day's biggest shocks

The most notable women's upset came from Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva, who knocked out 12th seed Belinda Bencic 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Bencic, the Olympic champion, became the only seeded women's player to lose on Tuesday as of the start of the evening session. Putintseva's battling qualities once again came to the fore in a fiercely contested encounter. 

Cobolli stages spectacular comeback

Italy's Flavio Cobolli produced one of the day's most stirring comebacks, recovering from two sets down to defeat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

It was a remarkable demonstration of stamina and fighting spirit as Cobolli refused to surrender after falling into a seemingly hopeless position. 

Andreeva and Monfils advance

Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive progress with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Janice Tjen. Meanwhile, French veteran Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday by advancing during what is expected to be his farewell Grand Slam campaign. 

Rain plays a major role

The weather became almost a character in its own right. Persistent rain delayed the start of outdoor-court action by several hours and forced numerous matches to be postponed. Organisers were left with 14 first-round matches needing completion on Wednesday. 

Keys: defeated Korneeva 7-5, 6-4. 

Putintseva: eliminated 12th seed Bencic in three sets. 

Day 3 therefore belonged to contrasting emotions: Zverev's desperate escape, Gauff's growing confidence, Fritz's clinical authority, Eala's exhilarating rise and Putintseva's upset all added further intrigue to an already unpredictable 2026 US Open.