The US Open has reached its decisive stages, with the men’s singles title now just two matches away for the four players remaining in the draw.
Top seed Alexander Zverev will face Karen Khachanov in the first semifinal, before an all-American clash between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
Zverev is chasing a second Grand Slam title just months after claiming his maiden major trophy at Roland Garros, while Khachanov, Shelton and Tiafoe are all bidding to win the first Grand Slam title of their careers.
Zverev faces Khachanov test
Alexander Zverev will look to take another step toward a second Grand Slam title when the top seed faces Karen Khachanov in the first US Open men’s singles semifinal on Friday.
The German had a difficult start to his campaign in New York, needing five sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in the first round before surviving another five-set battle against Quentin Halys, beating the Frenchman 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3.
Zverev then found his rhythm from the third round onwards. He defeated Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 before beating Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) and Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in straight sets to reach the last four.
The top seed is now in a strong position after No. 2 seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out by Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals. Zverev, who won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year, is now two victories away from adding a second major trophy to his collection.
Standing in his way is Khachanov, who has reached the third Grand Slam semifinal of his career and his second at the US Open. The Russian booked his place in the last four after Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 in their quarterfinal.
Khachanov had already produced an important victory in the second round, defeating No. 8 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. He then survived a major test against No. 14 seed Learner Tien in the fourth round, coming back from two sets to one down to win 7-5, 4-6, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4.
Khachanov therefore enters the semifinal with plenty of momentum, but Zverev represents his biggest test yet. The German has steadily raised his level after his difficult opening rounds and now looks to be in strong form heading into the final stages.
Shelton and Tiafoe set for all-American clash
The second semifinal will produce an all-American showdown, with Ben Shelton taking on Frances Tiafoe for a place in the final.
Shelton has produced an impressive run in New York, capped by his biggest victory of the tournament against No. 2 seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. The No. 8 seed defeated the Spaniard 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a four-hour, 28-minute thriller to claim the first top-three victory of his career.
The win moved Shelton to within two victories of a maiden Grand Slam title. His powerful serve and aggressive baseline game have made him one of the most dangerous players left in the draw, but he now faces another major test against his fellow American.
Tiafoe booked his place in the semifinals after an extraordinary comeback against fellow American Alex Michelsen. The No. 11 seed came back from two sets down to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) after four hours and 39 minutes.
Tiafoe was also on the brink of defeat in the deciding set, falling two breaks behind before fighting his way back and eventually winning the final-set tiebreak. His ability to stay in the match under pressure proved decisive, but he will now need to recover quickly for another demanding encounter against Shelton.
Shelton’s big serve and powerful groundstrokes could pose a difficult problem for Tiafoe, who is also still searching for his first Grand Slam title. Both Americans are therefore two wins away from a maiden major trophy, while also carrying the chance to end a long wait for an American men’s singles champion.
An American man has not won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open. One of Shelton or Tiafoe will therefore have the opportunity to end that wait on Sunday.
The two semifinals will be played on Friday in New York. Zverev will face Khachanov first at 8 p.m. (Moroccan time), followed by Shelton against Tiafoe after the first match ends.
