Zverev Beats Fearnley Amid Criticism Over US Open Delays

Alexander Zverev defeated Jacob Fearnley in straight sets at the US Open second round, marking their third meeting in 2025 with Zverev prevailing each time. Despite the win, Zverev faced criticism for a dismissive comment to Fearnley at the net, which was perceived as disparaging given Fearnley's strong late match performance despite a shoulder injury. Fearnley accused Zverev of deliberately delaying the match start by over 10 minutes as a gamesmanship tactic, a practice he claims Zverev and Novak Djokovic have used before. The loud and challenging atmosphere at Louis Armstrong Stadium further unsettled Fearnley, who also struggled with service consistency, including numerous double faults attributed to pressure rather than technique. Fearnley’s resilience was evident in his fightback during the final games, saving five match points and drawing crowd support with impressive shots. Zverev acknowledged Fearnley's spirited play post-match, but pundits emphasize Zverev must elevate his level to contend seriously for the US Open title.