Germany’s Alexander Zverev advanced to the U.S. Open final on Friday, overcoming fellow competitor Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) at Flushing Meadows. The victory marks Zverev’s third consecutive major final and puts him one step away from a second Grand Slam crown.
Match Summary
Zverev opened the match strongly, taking the first set 6-3 after an early break. The German kept the momentum, breaking again in the second set before Khachanov rallied to force a tiebreak. In the second-set breaker, Khachanov briefly held the lead, but Zverev held his nerve, winning the tiebreak 9-7 to claim the set.
The third set followed a similar pattern. Khachanov surged ahead early in the tiebreak, yet Zverev responded with precise serving and aggressive baseline play, ultimately sealing the set 8-6. The win ended Khachanov’s run of 37 consecutive service games without being broken.
Key Statistics
With the victory, Zverev improves his Grand Slam record for the season to 24-2. He now boasts a 7-0 head‑to‑head record against Khachanov in their ten most recent meetings. The German’s ability to win two consecutive tiebreaks highlighted his mental toughness under pressure.
Player Reactions
After the match, a 29‑year‑old Zverev reflected on his journey: “After the second round at 3 a.m., my team and I were actually laughing about how badly I was playing. That sense of humor helped me. I have improved a little bit, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the U.S. Open final.”
He also expressed excitement for the upcoming championship match: “I can’t wait for Sunday. It’s going to be incredibly special. Frances and Ben are crowd favorites here in New York. Tonight is going to be an epic semi‑final, and I’m looking forward to watching it. Hopefully I can stop the American dream coming true.”
What’s Next?
Zverev will meet the winner of the all‑American semi‑final between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton on Sunday. Both Tiafoe and Shelton have generated strong local support, promising a high‑energy final for the New York crowd.
The U.S. Open continues to showcase world‑class tennis, with fans eagerly anticipating whether Zverev can capture his second major title after his 2020 runner‑up finish to Dominic Thiem.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
