Zverev Overcomes Early Struggles to Secure US Open Semi-Final Spot

Alexander Zverev took another big step towards a second Grand Slam title by defeating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to reach the US Open semi-finals.

The 29-year-old French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up got off to a slow start at Flushing Meadows but has steadily found his range.

Zverev played five-set matches in each of his first two rounds, yet he has won his last three in straight sets and remains the only man to reach the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams this year.

Into his 13th major semi-final, Zverev will face Karen Khachanov in the last four for a spot in Sunday’s final.

“I think you saw in the first two rounds, I really didn’t play well,” said Zverev, who has logged 16 hours and 40 minutes on court—the most by any man en route to the US Open semi-finals since 1991.

“In other tournaments I would be out in the first round, but here I can fight back and play best-of-five sets, lasting four-and-a-half hours. I’ve started playing better throughout the tournament and I’m definitely happy to be in the semi-finals.”

The German was far from steady on serve early at Arthur Ashe Stadium, coughing up five double faults in an erratic start, but Van de Zandschulp leaked forehand errors that allowed the top seed to break in the fifth game and take the first set.

Van de Zandschulp regrouped in the second set and came close to leveling the contest, but Zverev absorbed the pressure and reeled off three games in a row as momentum swung firmly in his favor.

Zverev, the 2020 runner-up, fired an overhead smash to break early in the third set and cruised from there to reach his third semi-final in New York.

Khachanov Advances to Semi-Finals After Opponent Retires

Khachanov advanced to the semi-finals when Alexander Blockx retired trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2, as the world No. 50 reached the final-four stage at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022.

Blockx, who became the first Belgian man to reach the quarter-finals here, entered the match with a rib injury and was further hampered by physical issues.

He wore a brace on his right ankle and had his thigh wrapped, and the 21-year-old also called for the trainer during the contest.

Khachanov will return to a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time since reaching the last four at the Australian Open in 2023.

“I was preparing really well for that matchup; it wasn’t easy because I felt I was dominating, then he began to struggle more and more,” Khachanov said on court.

“He was suffering, but I wanted to keep the energy there. I wish him a speedy recovery, but I’m thrilled to be in the semi-finals.”

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