Alexander Zverev took the first set against Karen Khachanov but dropped his serve in the second. The winner will face Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton in the US Open final. Despite the stakes, the crowd remains quiet.
The momentum shifted in the US Open men’s semi-final when Karen Khachanov broke Alexander Zverev’s serve in the second set, stopping Zverev’s early control and making the match less predictable. Zverev, the top seed and current French Open champion, had claimed the first set 6-3 with strong serving and confident play at the net. Khachanov, though, found his footing just as the match seemed to be slipping away.
Khachanov came in as the underdog and struggled at first, making unforced errors and falling behind while Zverev’s serve and variety kept him on the defensive. But as the second set went on, Khachanov took advantage of a rare mistake from Zverev, broke serve, and put the pressure back on the favorite.
Zverev reached the semi-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season, a rare feat highlighted by both ATP and AP.
The winner of this match will play in Sunday’s final against either Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton. Both Zverev and Khachanov have had a tough tournament, with Zverev in particular dealing with late-night matches—several of his previous rounds ended after 1 a.m., raising questions about how much energy he has left. According to the official schedule, their semi-final was set for Friday, September 11, as the second match of the day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with a start time not before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Despite the high stakes, the stadium has been quiet, with empty seats and a subdued crowd. This low energy stands in contrast to the level of play, which has included long rallies and tense moments. Khachanov’s comeback in the second set has kept the match close, even as he continues to battle inconsistency and unforced errors. Both ATP and the US Open noted that this is Khachanov’s second career US Open semi-final, making it one of the biggest matches of his career and highlighting his underdog role.
At the time of writing, the second set is tied at 2-2, with neither player able to pull ahead. The winner will earn a spot in the final but will also have to handle the physical and mental demands of a quick turnaround, given the late finishes and tight schedule. Zverev needs to regain control and avoid letting fatigue or lapses in focus affect his chances. Khachanov’s task is to keep up the pressure, cut down on mistakes, and look for any opening against the top seed.
Independent media confirmed this was Zverev’s third US Open semi-final and his 13th career Grand Slam semi-final, while for Khachanov it represented a rare chance to return to a major final after a long absence.
This semi-final stands out for its shifting momentum and the test of endurance it presents. The quiet crowd and late scheduling have created an unusual setting for a match of this level, putting even more focus on how the players handle both the physical and mental strain. As play continues, Zverev’s experience and Khachanov’s drive for a breakthrough will decide who moves on. The result will depend not just on skill, but on who can best handle the unique pressures of this year’s US Open, where resilience may matter more than spectacle.
