Alexander Zverev is through to the 2026 US Open semifinals after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6–2, 7–5, 6–1, extending a season in which the German has reached the final four at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
The top seed took control of Wednesday night’s quarterfinal inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and completed the match in straight sets. He will face Karen Khachanov on Friday for a place in the final.
Zverev’s tournament did not begin smoothly. He needed five sets in each of his first two matches, accumulating significant court time before finding a more efficient level. Since then, he has won three consecutive matches without dropping a set.
A fast start settles Zverev
The opening set turned in the fifth game. Zverev had struggled for rhythm on serve and produced several double faults, but van de Zandschulp’s forehand errors gave the German the first break. Once ahead, Zverev imposed his weight of shot and closed the set 6–2.
The second set was the most competitive. Van de Zandschulp steadied his game and remained level deep into the set, but Zverev absorbed the pressure and won the final three games to take it 7–5. That sequence removed the Dutch player’s clearest route back into the match.
Zverev broke early in the third and moved quickly to the finish. The 6–1 score completed his third consecutive straight-sets win and sent him into his 13th major semifinal.
A remarkable Grand Slam season
The US Open run completes an unusual sequence of consistency. Zverev reached the Australian Open semifinals, won Roland Garros for his first major title and finished runner-up at Wimbledon. He is the only man to have reached at least the quarterfinals of all four majors in 2026—and has now gone one round further at each.
According to the official US Open site, Zverev had 50 tour-level victories entering the quarterfinal and a 22–2 record at the majors this season. His endurance has been tested in New York: Sky Sports reported that he had spent 16 hours and 40 minutes on court on the way to the semifinals, the most by any man reaching this stage at the US Open since 1991.
The contrast between his opening rounds and the last three matches is the central story of his tournament. Early inefficiency forced him to rely on fitness and patience. The later rounds have shown cleaner serving, earlier ball-striking and greater control of the score.
Khachanov presents a different challenge
Karen Khachanov advanced when Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6–2, 7–5, 3–2 in their quarterfinal. The Russian therefore completed less tennis than Zverev and should enter Friday’s match with a physical advantage.
Zverev leads their head-to-head series 6–3, according to the US Open, but all three of Khachanov’s victories have come on hard courts. That detail prevents the semifinal from being reduced to the top seed’s ranking or recent form.
Khachanov has reached two previous major semifinals—the 2022 US Open and 2023 Australian Open—but has never played a Grand Slam final. His first serve and flatter groundstrokes can shorten points, a useful weapon against an opponent who has already spent so long on court.
What Zverev must do in the semifinal
The serve will remain the first indicator. Zverev survived five double faults during an uneven start against van de Zandschulp, but a stronger opponent is less likely to surrender the opportunities created by second-serve pressure.
He will also want to prevent Khachanov from dictating through the middle of the court. Zverev’s backhand is reliable enough to absorb pace, but he is most dangerous when he steps inside the baseline and changes direction rather than allowing long neutral exchanges.
Finally, recovery matters. The straight-sets quarterfinal reduced the immediate physical cost, yet the cumulative 16 hours and 40 minutes cannot be erased. Friday’s semifinal may test whether the efficient version of Zverev seen in the last three rounds can appear from the opening game.
Key facts
- 6–2, 7–5, 6–1: Zverev’s quarterfinal score.
- 13: career Grand Slam semifinals.
- 4: major semifinals reached in 2026.
- 3: consecutive straight-sets victories in New York.
- 6–3: Zverev’s career record against Khachanov.
What comes next
The men’s semifinals are scheduled for Friday, with the championship match on Sunday. Zverev is two victories from adding the US Open to the Roland Garros title he won in June. A second major in the same season would transform an already consistent campaign into a defining one.
Sources
- Sky Sports: Zverev reaches the US Open semifinals
- US Open: Official quarterfinal report
- US Open: Khachanov advances to the semifinals
- ATP Tour: 2026 US Open schedule and tournament guide
Leon Ramoviq
Primary Author · Editorial Reviewer · Researcher Leon Ramoviq is a digital media researcher, content creator, and primary author at Smashology Media. His work focuses on researching, verifying, and developing stories across entertainment, culture, sports, internet trends, curiosity-driven topics, and viral news. Before publishing, Leon reviews sources, cross-checks key claims, and works to ensure that articles are clear, accurately represented, and based on reliable information rather than unverified social-media speculation. With experience in digital media, graphic design, social media content, and online audience engagement, he brings both an editorial and visual perspective to the stories published on Smashology. Leon is particularly interested in how stories spread online, why certain topics capture public attention, and how complex or trending information can be presented in a simple and engaging format. Role at Smashology As a primary author and researcher, Leon is involved in: • Researching stories and identifying original or reliable sources • Writing and developing articles for Smashology • Reviewing facts, names, dates, quotations, and contextual information • Checking stories for misleading or unsupported claims • Reviewing articles before publication • Following developments and updating stories when meaningful new information becomes available • Maintaining editorial consistency across Smashology content Editorial Approach Leon believes engaging content should not come at the expense of accuracy. His approach is to combine strong storytelling with responsible sourcing, clear attribution, and additional verification when a story originates from social media or rapidly developing online discussions.
