U.S. Open: No. 1 Zverev enters semifinals with ease; to face Khachanov
Alexander Zverev has advanced to the U.S. Open semifinals after a straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp. He is set to face Karen Khachanov, who reached the final four after his opponent retired due to injury.
Why it matters
Zverev's performance marks a significant milestone as he remains the only man to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.
Alexander Zverev's rocky road to start the U.S. Open turned into smooth sailing to the semifinals. The No. 1 seed beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday night (September 9, 2026), putting him into the final four of every Grand Slam tournament this season.
The French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up will play on Friday against Karen Khachanov, while Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe meet in the other semifinal.
Zverev became the first men's No. 1 seed to play five-set matches in each of the first two rounds of a major in the Open era, which began in 1968. But he won his last three matches in straight sets and is the only man to reach all four major semis this year.
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