Gael Monfils defeated Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6 6-1 6-2 6-0 in the first round of the US Open on his 40th birthday. The Frenchman became the oldest man to win a main-draw match at the tournament since Jimmy Connors, who won on his 40th birthday in 1992. Monfils is playing in his 18th and final US Open before retiring at the end of the season.
The New York crowd sang "Happy Birthday" during Monfils' post-match interview on Louis Armstrong Stadium. He said the atmosphere at the tournament was "always electric" and called on fans to "keep it up for the second round." Monfils received a watch from his wife, Elina Svitolina, as a birthday present.
Top seed Alexander Zverev survived a five-set match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego that lasted nearly five hours and ended after 2am on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev won 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-5 6-4 after Sonego, ranked 89th, led by two sets to one and came within two points of victory in the fourth set.
Zverev is seeding at a major for the first time in his career as world number one Jannik Sinner is absent through injury. Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz has limited match practice after a long-term wrist injury, and Novak Djokovic exited in the first round on Sunday. Zverev will face France's Quentin Halys in the second round.
