A Career-Best Season at the Majors
Alexander Zverev has cemented a historic 2026 campaign, securing his place in the US Open semifinals with a clinical 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. This win marks the first time in the German’s career that he has reached the semifinal stage of all four Grand Slams in a single season. According to BBC Sport, Zverev has now tallied 23 singles victories at major tournaments this year, surpassing the previous record of 22 set by Boris Becker in 1989.
The Road to the Final Four
Zverev’s path to the semifinals has been characterized by increasing consistency. After admitting he struggled with his form during the opening two rounds, the world No. 1 has surged, winning his last three matches in straight sets. The match against van de Zandschulp was a controlled affair; Zverev capitalized on key break opportunities while remaining impenetrable on his own service games, conceding zero break points to his opponent, as reported by The Athletic.
Despite the late-night atmosphere often associated with this year’s tournament—Zverev noted he stayed up until 3:30 a.m. to watch the marathon match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz—the top seed maintained his focus. “I think it’s a very special feeling when it becomes normality,” Zverev remarked regarding the late finishes that have defined his 2026 US Open run.
Setting the Stage for Friday
Zverev will face Karen Khachanov in Friday’s semifinal. Khachanov, currently unseeded, advanced after his quarterfinal opponent, Alexander Blockx, was forced to retire in the third set due to a persistent rib injury. Zverev expressed respect for his upcoming opponent, whom he jokingly refers to as “The Professor” for his deep technical knowledge of the sport. While Zverev holds a 6-3 career head-to-head record against Khachanov, the Russian’s presence in the final four underscores his competitive form in New York.
The other side of the bracket guarantees a historic milestone, with Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe set to compete. This ensures that a Black American man will reach the US Open final for the first time since Arthur Ashe in 1972, a development that has captured significant attention at Flushing Meadows.