Alexander Zverev beats Khachanov to reach US Open Final
Alexander Zverev is through to the 2026 US Open final after producing a composed performance to defeat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7-5), 7-6(8-6) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The top seed held his nerve in two tense tiebreaks to overcome the Russian and move within one victory of his first US Open championship. Zverev will face the winner of the all-American semifinal between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in Sunday's final.
The German arrived in New York as the reigning French Open champion and has now reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2026. His latest victory also gives him another opportunity to erase the disappointment of his previous US Open final appearance in 2020, when he surrendered a two-set lead before losing to Dominic Thiem.
Zverev keeps his composure when it matters
Khachanov made the semifinal highly competitive, particularly in the second and third sets, but Zverev repeatedly found another level when the pressure increased.
After taking the opening set 6-3, Zverev was forced into a tiebreak in the second. Khachanov pushed him throughout, but the German eventually secured the set 7-6(7-5).
The pattern continued in the third.
Neither player was able to establish a decisive advantage during the set, sending the contest into another tiebreak. Khachanov again threatened to extend the match, but Zverev stayed composed and closed out the deciding breaker 8-6.
The victory was a demonstration of Zverev's ability to handle the biggest moments without allowing the pressure of a Grand Slam semifinal to disrupt his game.
Another US Open final, another chance at history
Zverev's latest run is particularly significant given his history at Flushing Meadows. The 29-year-old reached the US Open final in 2020 and came agonisingly close to winning his first Grand Slam title after taking a two-set lead against Thiem.
Six years later, Zverev has another opportunity. He entered the 2026 tournament having already won his maiden major title at Roland Garros and has steadily improved throughout his run in New York after being pushed to five sets in each of his opening two matches.
Since then, he has found greater consistency, winning his last four matches without dropping a set.
His semifinal victory also extends an extraordinary 2026 Grand Slam record. Zverev has now reached at least the semifinal stage at every major this season, becoming one of only a small group of players in tennis history to achieve that feat.
Khachanov's impressive run ends in the semifinals
Khachanov's defeat ends an impressive return to the latter stages of a Grand Slam. The Russian entered the tournament ranked outside the world's top 25 but fought his way through a demanding draw to reach his third Grand Slam semifinal.
He had previously reached the US Open semifinals in 2022 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2023, but he will have to wait longer for his first major final.
Despite the defeat, Khachanov's run in New York is set to give his ranking a significant boost. He began the tournament ranked No. 50 and had already guaranteed a return to the top 30 by reaching the semifinal.
Zverev one win from US Open glory
The stakes could hardly be higher for Zverev. He is now one victory away from adding the US Open trophy to his French Open title and completing a remarkable Grand Slam season.
The German will have to wait for his final opponent, with Tiafoe and Shelton set to contest the second men's semifinal. Whatever happens in that match, Zverev has already secured another opportunity to win the title that slipped through his fingers six years ago.
This time, he will enter the final with a Grand Slam title already on his résumé — and the experience of another US Open final behind him.
SportsLigue
