Zverev US Open 2026 title hopes are now very real. Alexander Zverev has reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1. The top seed is now only two wins away from his first US Open championship.
Zverev entered the tournament with plenty of pressure. He is already a Grand Slam champion after winning the French Open earlier this year. He has also reached the semifinals at all four majors in 2026.
Zverev Finds His Best Tennis
The German’s opening rounds were far from comfortable. He needed five sets to defeat Lorenzo Sonego and then survived another five-set battle against Quentin Halys.
Since then, his level has improved sharply. He defeated Alejandro Tabilo and Luciano Darderi in straight sets before producing another dominant performance against van de Zandschulp.
The quarterfinal score was especially impressive. Zverev won 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in just over two hours. That performance suggests he has found greater control at the most important stage of the tournament.
Khachanov Stands Between Zverev and the Final
Zverev’s semifinal opponent will be Karen Khachanov. The Russian reached the last four after Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.
Khachanov is ranked outside the top 40, making his run one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. He has already defeated Félix Auger-Aliassime and Learner Tien during his run.
The matchup also has history. Zverev defeated Khachanov in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold-medal match. This time, however, the stakes are even higher: a place in the US Open final.
Two Americans Wait on the Other Side
The other semifinal features an all-American showdown between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.
Tiafoe survived a dramatic five-set quarterfinal against Alex Michelsen. Shelton produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller.
That result dramatically changed the title race. Alcaraz’s exit removed one of the biggest obstacles from the draw and opened the door for a new US Open champion. The semifinal winner will meet either Zverev or Khachanov in the final.
Why Zverev Has a Real Chance
Zverev has several advantages heading into the semifinal.
- Grand Slam experience: He already knows how to handle the pressure of major finals.
- Serving power: His first serve remains one of his biggest weapons.
- Hard-court experience: He reached the US Open final in 2020.
- Recent form: His level has improved with every round.
- Confidence: Winning the French Open earlier this year removed a major psychological barrier.
His biggest challenge may be maintaining that level under semifinal pressure. He has already endured long matches in New York, so physical recovery will also matter.
Who Can Win the 2026 Crown?
Zverev currently looks like one of the strongest candidates. However, the remaining draw is unusually open.
Khachanov has nothing to lose. Shelton has already eliminated the defending champion. Tiafoe has home-court support and has shown remarkable resilience.
For Zverev, the path is clear. Beat Khachanov, reach another Grand Slam final and then win one more match.
The Zverev US Open 2026 story has already transformed from a difficult tournament start into a genuine championship opportunity. His semifinal against Khachanov will determine whether that opportunity becomes his second major title of the season.
The US Open men’s semifinals are scheduled for September 11, with Zverev facing Khachanov and Tiafoe meeting Shelton.
Zverev has survived the toughest part of his draw and is now two victories from the US Open trophy.
But nothing is guaranteed. Khachanov is playing with freedom, while Tiafoe and Shelton give the other half of the draw two dangerous American contenders.
After winning his first Grand Slam earlier this year, Zverev now has a chance to finish 2026 with another major title. The next two matches could define the biggest season of his career.
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