Zverev survives thriller as upsets shake US Open men's draw

Alexander Zverev secured a hard-fought passage to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, edging through a tightly contested match as several higher-ranked players exited the tournament in stunning upsets.

The German fourth seed emerged victorious in a lengthy battle that tested his endurance on the hard courts, advancing despite mounting pressure from his opponent. His survival came amid a dramatic day of results that saw the men's draw significantly reshaped.

Felice Auger-Aliassime, seeded third, departed the tournament following an upset loss, joining sixth seed Alex de Minaur and 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti among the day's casualties. The departures mark a notable shake-up in the tournament's upper rankings and open unexpected pathways deeper into the competition for unseeded and lower-ranked competitors.

The upsets underscore the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, where form on the day often supersedes seeding positions. As the tournament progresses, the results suggest a wide-open men's field with multiple contenders now positioned to make substantial runs through the remaining rounds.