US Open Thursday: Zverev escapes, Badosa suffers from rain schedule, Eala makes history

New York, Flushing Meadows – The ball bounced off the hard court still bearing the footprints of a five-set battle. Alexander Zverev, the No. 1 seed, nearly became the first male player to lose in the first round of a Grand Slam since 2026. He beat Lorenzo Sonego in five breathless sets, but that performance revealed a puzzling fragility in a title contender. I counted every game, every score in that match – not to find emotion, but to understand why a top player had to struggle so much against an opponent outside the top 50. The context of Thursday's play at this year's US Open cannot be separated from the rain that has ravaged the schedule for days. Postponed first-round matches were pushed into Wednesday, creating an unusual string of consecutive matches. Paula Badosa, who just finished her first-round match amid rain interruptions, had to return to court the very next day to face defending champion Coco Gauff. This is a major physical disadvantage, and I have followed enough seasons to know that two consecutive matches at a Grand Slam, especially after an interrupted match, often reduces first-serve percentage and increases unforced errors. Rain has not only affected Badosa. The entire schedule has been compressed, creating unfair recovery-time situations. Meanwhile, the sun is forecast to return on Thursday, but the damage to the schedule has already been done. I witnessed at Wimbledon 2026 how rain delays forced many players to play two matches in a day, leading to unfortunate injuries. This year's US Open is repeating that scenario. The biggest highlight of Thursday's play is the match between Gauff and Badosa. Gauff, the 2026 champion, is defending 2,000 points – a massive points cliff. If she loses early, her ranking will drop significantly. But Badosa, despite being tired, remains a dangerous opponent with her powerful baseline game. I watched Badosa in Cincinnati and she has the ability to extend rallies, forcing opponents to move a lot. With home-court advantage and crowd support, Gauff is favored, but I cannot forget that Badosa beat Gauff in Rome last year. Numbers do not lie, but we must ask the right questions about the current physical condition of both players. A historic story is unfolding in another corner of the tournament. Alex Eala, the No. 17 seed, is writing a new chapter for Philippine tennis. This is the first time a player from that country has been seeded at a Grand Slam. I have followed Eala since her junior days and I have noticed her remarkable progress over the past two years. The No. 17 seed is not luck; it reflects a successful season with consistent results. Fans have the right to live in emotion; I have the duty to live in data – and Eala's data supports her. However, Grand Slam experience remains a question mark. I will wait to see how she handles the pressure of the second round. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka continues to attract attention with her new outfits, but I care more about her on-court performance than her white-and-silver day look or the Allen Iverson tribute night look with cornrows and a headband. Osaka is a two-time US Open champion, but after a long hiatus, she has yet to show the ability to maintain form over consecutive matches. The media's focus on her outfits signals that she is being treated more as an entertainer than an athlete. This could create unnecessary pressure if she loses early. On the men's side, Zverev will step into his second-round match against Quentin Halys. After his struggle against Sonego, I wonder if he can regain his serving solidity and his ability to handle crucial points. At a major, having to play five sets in the first round is often a sign of under-preparation or a mental issue. Zverev needs to resolve that quickly if he does not want to face a bigger shock. I remember in 2026 when he lost to Dominic Thiem in the US Open final after leading by two sets – a mental scar that may still be there. Another bright spot is Gael Monfils' victory on his 40th birthday. Monfils, who has announced his retirement plans after this year, delivered an emotional performance against a younger opponent. He will face No. 14 seed Learner Tien in the next round. This win shows that Monfils' athletic and technical style can still survive at age 40, but it is a tough battle ahead. I do not believe in fairy tales, but I believe in numbers – and the number 40 is rare in tennis history. The Williams sisters' appearance in doubles is also a highlight. They could play on Friday, facing the pair of Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint – the player who beat Serena at Wimbledon. This is a highly symbolic story, a meaningful generational transition. But I will not let emotion override analysis. The Williams sisters are at the end of their careers, and their doubles participation is more of a tribute than peak competition. Back to tonight's schedule, the match between Gauff and Badosa will be the centerpiece. I have followed Gauff since she was 15, and I see her growth in play. But I also see that Badosa can cause trouble if she has enough stamina. A big win is not a revolution, and a loss is not a disaster. I will observe how Gauff handles the pressure of defending her title, and how Badosa overcomes fatigue. These are questions that can only be answered on court. There are things that only appear when you are willing to sit still longer than a set. I have sat in the press row for hours, noting every shot, every serve. I do not remember what I wrote, but I remember what I counted. And the numbers are telling a clear story: this year's tournament is witnessing the fragility of top seeds. Zverev nearly lost, Badosa is disadvantaged by the schedule, Gauff faces enormous pressure. Can the title contenders stand firm? I am not sure. But I will continue to observe, continue to count, and continue to ask the right questions. A new lineup, like a new watch, needs time to run accurately. But at the US Open, time is the most luxurious commodity. Rain has stolen fairness, and the congested schedule is testing the physical limits of the players. I will not make hasty predictions. I will only record what I see, and let the data speak for itself.