Alexander Zverev advanced to his second US Open final by defeating Karen Khachanov in the semifinals, securing his third consecutive Grand Slam championship match appearance and maintaining his pursuit of a second major title this year.
Playing as the tournament's top seed, Zverev delivered a commanding display to overcome the Russian opponent with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6). The German competitor has emerged as the favourite in New York following his breakthrough French Open victory in June, which ended his extended search for a Grand Slam title. He subsequently reached the Wimbledon final in July, where he fell to world number one Jannik Sinner across four sets.
According to the Associated Press, Zverev's difficult beginning to the tournament has given way to consistency, with the 29-year-old now reaching the final four of every Grand Slam tournament this season. His quarterfinal victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, which he won 6-2, 7-5, 6-1, established him as the first men's semifinalist to secure a spot in the 2026 US Open final while maintaining the top seed ranking.
Zverev will face the winner of Friday's night session semifinal between eighth seed Ben Shelton and 11th seed Frances Tiafoe in Sunday's championship match. Speaking after his victory, Zverev acknowledged the significance of the occasion:
I think it [Sunday] will be incredibly special especially, these two guys are crowd favourites and everyone loves them. Tonight will be an epic semi-final and I am looking forward to watching it. Hopefully I can not make their American dream come true.
How did Zverev's tournament trajectory shift after a slow start?
The German competitor began his US Open campaign with considerable difficulty, requiring five sets to advance through his opening two matches. However, his form transformed dramatically thereafter, and he has not surrendered a single set since the second round. reported that Zverev arrived at the US Open as top seed, boosted by the absences or uneven form of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and this advantage has allowed him to capitalise on his improved play.
Reflecting on his early struggles, Zverev revealed the mental approach that helped him recover:
After the second round, at about 3am I was sitting with my team in the locker room and we were laughing at how bad I was playing. That sense of humour helped me. I obviously have improved a bit otherwise I would not be in the US Open final.
What were the key moments in Zverev's semifinal victory?
Zverev dominated the opening set, winning 13 of 15 points behind his first serve and converting all nine points at the net. He broke Khachanov early to establish a 5-3 advantage before serving out the set without further difficulty.
The second set proved more competitive, with Khachanov recovering from an early break deficit to force a tie-break. The Russian competitor demonstrated resilience by saving set point with an exceptional backhand stroke that concluded a gruelling 22-shot rally. Zverev responded by seizing the initiative on a pivotal point, earning another set point opportunity and converting it after outlasting Khachanov in another demanding baseline exchange.
In the third set, both competitors held serve throughout, with neither player conceding a break point, leading to a final tie-break. Khachanov began the tie-break strongly and created two set points, but Zverev saved both to maintain his momentum. From that juncture, the top seed never relinquished control, ultimately clinching victory when Khachanov sent a forehand long. After the match concluded, Zverev celebrated with his coaching team before approaching the net to acknowledge his opponent.
What is Zverev's history at the US Open?
This championship match represents Zverev's second US Open final appearance. In 2020, he suffered a devastating five-set loss to Dominic Thiem in the final, a result that has motivated his pursuit of the title this year. His return to the final stage at Flushing Meadows comes as he seeks to add to his 2024 French Open triumph and establish himself among the sport's elite champions.
What happens next?
According to the Associated Press, the men's semifinal between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe is scheduled for Friday's night session, with the winner advancing to face Zverev in Sunday's US Open final. The championship match will determine whether Zverev can capture his second Grand Slam title of the year and claim the US Open crown that has eluded him throughout his career.
