Alexander Zverev defeats Karen Khachanov in straight sets to reach US Open final

Straight-sets victory in New York

Alexander Zverev advanced to the US Open final on Friday, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The contest lasted just under three hours and marked the tenth meeting between the two players, who first played against each other in their junior careers. Zverev, seeded first in the tournament and ranked second globally, did not drop a set for the fourth consecutive match, extending his streak to 13 consecutive sets won in New York. Khachanov, who entered the tournament ranked 50th in the world, pushed both second and third sets to tiebreaks but failed to convert his leads.

Sometimes things go your way. I was so often so close. Maybe God said, this year will be your year, just have fun on the court.

Turning points in the tiebreaks

The opening set stayed on serve until Zverev converted a late break to claim it 6-3. In the second set, Zverev secured an immediate break for a 1-0 lead before Khachanov struck back with a break of his own to level the score at 2-2. In the subsequent tiebreak, Zverev opened a 3-1 lead with a minibreak, yet Khachanov won four of the next five points to lead 5-3. Zverev recovered to take the set on his third set point at 9-7. Khachanov built a 4-1 lead in the third-set tiebreak, but Zverev erased the deficit and completed the straight-sets win at 8-6.

National records and ranking race

The victory places Zverev in his sixth career Grand Slam final and his third consecutive final of 2026, following a title at Roland Garros and a runner-up finish against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. He became the first German male player to reach two US Open finals, moving past Boris Becker, Michael Stich, and Gottfried von Cramm. No German player had previously reached three consecutive Grand Slam finals. With this result, Zverev overtook Sinner, who missed the tournament due to injury, in the calendar-year rankings. Zverev has the opportunity to become the first German man to capture the US Open singles title since Becker won in 1989.

Sunday final against American opposition

Zverev will face either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe in the final on Sunday at 14:00 local time (20:00 CEST). The semi-final took place on the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks, with "9/11" imprinted on the court surface and spectators observing a memorial during the national anthem. Temperature conditions reached roughly 27 degrees Celsius during Zverev's first afternoon match of the tournament, watched by actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as well as retired footballers Ronaldo and Jerome Boateng. Ticket prices on the secondary market fell from over 300 US dollars to as low as 40 US dollars after the semi-final matchup was determined.

It will be something special, everyone here loves both of them. Hopefully I can make sure the American dream does not come true.