Alexander Zverev Beats Karen Khachanov to Reach US Open Final

Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6) on Friday to reach the US Open final, overcoming two tense tiebreaks for a straight-sets semi-final victory.

The top seed advanced to his third consecutive Grand Slam final after a contest that lasted two hours and 57 minutes. Zverev, who won his maiden major at the French Open before finishing runner-up at Wimbledon, will play the winner of the all-American semi-final between eighth seed Ben Shelton and 11th seed Frances Tiafoe in Sunday’s championship match.

The result also moves Zverev back into the US Open title match six years after he came close to lifting the trophy in 2020, when he lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets. Against 50th-ranked Khachanov, he established control early before holding firm when the Russian raised the pressure in the second and third sets.

Zverev survives pressure in two decisive tiebreaks

Khachanov was unable to make significant inroads in the opening set, which Zverev took 6-3. The second set was far more competitive. Khachanov went down an early break, but he responded in the fourth game after opening it with a passing shot and then creating his first break chance of the match with a forehand winner.

Zverev double-faulted to give Khachanov the break, leveling the set at 2-2. The Russian had another opportunity two games later when Zverev sent a backhand into the net at the end of a 32-shot rally. But Zverev produced a big serve to get out of danger, sending the set to a tiebreak.

In that breaker, Zverev held two set points, only for Khachanov to deny them with a forceful forehand and then a backhand down the line. Zverev nevertheless completed the set 9-7, putting himself one set from the final.

The third set did not feature a break point for either player. Khachanov again took the tiebreak deep and led 6-4, giving himself the chance to extend the semi-final. Zverev responded as Khachanov made two forehand errors, then delivered his 15th ace before sealing victory when Khachanov sent a forehand long.

The win marked another step forward for Zverev after a demanding beginning to the tournament. He had spent nine hours and 26 minutes on court in five-set wins in the first and second rounds, but entered the final after straight-sets success over Khachanov.

US Open final awaits after all-American semi-final

Zverev’s opponent will be determined by the meeting between Shelton and Tiafoe. Shelton reached the semi-finals after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final that ended at 3:34 am, the latest finish in US Open history. Tiafoe came back from two sets down against Alex Michelsen to reach his third US Open semi-final.

Zverev said the American semi-final should be an “absolutely epic” contest. The eventual winner will have the opportunity to become the first American man in 23 years to win a Grand Slam title, while Zverev will seek to stop that bid and secure the US Open crown.

“Hopefully I can not make the American dream come true on Sunday,” Zverev said. For now, the top seed has earned another major final through a composed finish against Khachanov, saving set points in the closing stages of both tiebreak sets to complete the victory.