Zverev beats Khachanov to reach third straight Grand Slam final
TLE DESK: Top seed Alexander Zverev powered past Karen Khachanov in straight sets on Friday to reach his third consecutive Grand Slam final, keeping alive his hopes of lifting the US Open trophy for the first time.
The German prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6), saving two set points in the final tiebreak before sealing victory after two hours and 57 minutes.
Zverev will face the winner of the all-American semi-final between eighth seed Ben Shelton and 11th seed Frances Tiafoe in Sunday’s championship match.
The 29-year-old, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open before finishing runner-up at Wimbledon, said he expected an “absolutely epic” battle between Shelton and Tiafoe.
“Hopefully I can not make the American dream come true on Sunday,” Zverev said.
The German came agonisingly close to winning the US Open in 2020, when he surrendered a two-set lead before losing to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in five sets.
Zverev withstands Khachanov fightback
After a difficult opening to the tournament, during which he spent nine hours and 26 minutes on court in five-set victories in his first two rounds, Zverev has steadily raised his level.
Khachanov, ranked 50th in the world, was bidding to become the lowest-ranked Grand Slam finalist since Marcos Baghdatis, then ranked 54th, reached the 2006 Australian Open final.
The Russian struggled to make an impact in the opening set and fell behind early in the second.
But Khachanov fought back, smiling after a passing shot against Zverev opened the fourth game before a forehand winner gave him his first break chance of the match.
Zverev then double-faulted to surrender his serve and level the set at 2-2.
Khachanov threatened again two games later after Zverev’s backhand into the net ended a 32-shot rally, but the German responded with a powerful serve to escape the danger.
Zverev eventually took the second-set tiebreak 9-7 after Khachanov denied him twice with a powerful forehand and a superb backhand down the line.
The third set was equally tight, with neither player earning a break point.
Khachanov appeared on course to force a fourth set when he led 6-4 in the tiebreak, but two forehand errors allowed Zverev back into the contest.
The German then produced his 15th ace before Khachanov sent a forehand long on match point.
Americans chase end to Grand Slam drought
Shelton enters his semi-final against Tiafoe after eliminating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarter-final that finished at 3:34 am, the latest conclusion in US Open history.
The victory was the biggest of Shelton’s career and has put the 23-year-old within two wins of his first Grand Slam title.
The winner of Shelton and Tiafoe will attempt to become the first American man in 23 years to win a major title.
Andy Roddick was the last US man to reach the US Open final, winning the tournament in 2003 — also the last time an American man captured a Grand Slam singles title.
Tiafoe reached the semi-finals after rallying from two sets down to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen in a dramatic quarter-final.
The match against Shelton promises a clash of contrasting styles, with the powerful left-hander facing Tiafoe’s creative shot-making.
Shelton leads their head-to-head record, although they have split their two previous US Open encounters. Shelton won their 2023 quarter-final, while Tiafoe gained revenge in the third round the following year.
The women’s final will be played on Saturday, with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina facing defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who is seeking a third consecutive US Open title.
