New York — In a commanding performance on Wednesday night, world No. 1 Alexander Zverev secured his place in the US Open semifinals. The German star defeated Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1, cementing his status as the only man this season to reach the final four of every Grand Slam tournament.
Dominant Play Propels Zverev Forward
Zverev, the 2022 French Open champion and Wimbledon runner‑up, displayed a blend of power and precision that left his opponent scrambling. After a solid first set, Zverev tightened his serve and groundstrokes, breaking van de Zandschulp multiple times to close out the match without dropping a set.
Khachanov Advances After Blockx’s Injury Withdrawal
On the opposite side of the draw, Russia’s Karen Khachanov will meet Zverev on Friday. Khachanov’s quarterfinal opponent, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, was forced to retire in the third set due to injuries to his leg, ribs, and back. Blockx, who had taken the first two sets 6-2, 7-5, said his body simply gave out, adding that he tried to stay light‑hearted about the situation.
“I think my body just gave up,” Blockx explained, noting that he was compelled to stop after Khachanov broke his serve to lead 3-2 in the third set. “It was quite funny to me. I just had to laugh it off, because it was something new the whole time,” he said, describing how he altered his movements to avoid pain.
Khachanov, the No. 28 seed, praised his own preparation and noted Blockx’s visible struggle. “I was preparing really, really well for that matchup. It’s not easy because from one side I felt I was dominating from the beginning, then I started to see him struggling more and more,” Khachanov said, acknowledging Blockx’s suffering.
What the Semifinals Mean for the Players
Zverev’s path to the semifinals has been historic. He became the first men’s No. 1 seed to play five‑set matches in each of the first two rounds of a major in the Open era, yet he has won his last three matches in straight sets. His consistency has made him the sole player to appear in all four major semifinals this year.
For Khachanov, the upcoming match represents a chance to reach his first Grand Slam final. He previously reached the US Open semifinals in 2022 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2023. Despite being unseeded in a Grand Slam for the first time since 2018, Khachanov has shown resilience, advancing to at least the third round of every major this season.
Looking Ahead
The semifinal clash promises a high‑quality showdown between two seasoned competitors. Zverev will aim to continue his dominant run, while Khachanov seeks to capitalize on his momentum and fulfill his goal of a first major final appearance. The winner will move on to the US Open final, where a title could solidify a legacy in modern tennis.
Fans can tune in to the Friday night match on major sports networks and streaming platforms. As the tournament progresses, the US Open continues to deliver compelling narratives and world‑class tennis for audiences across the nation.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
