Zverev in top form as US Open semifinalists are confirmed
Zverev reaches the last four in New York; the women’s draw features the top four seeds — a Grand Slam first since 2009.
All four US Open singles semifinals are now set after a series of dramatic matches in New York on September 10, 2026. Alexander Zverev led the way with a commanding victory to reach the last four, while the women’s draw produced a historic outcome as the tournament’s top four seeds all advanced.
Zverev looked in peak form as he defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, 6:2, 7:5, 6:1, earning a place in the men’s semifinals where he will face Karen Khachanov. Zverev is chasing his second Grand Slam title in 2026 after lifting the Roland Garros trophy earlier this year.
American presence and marathon matches
The other men’s semi will be an all‑American affair: Frances Tiafoe versus Ben Shelton. Tiafoe pulled off a long five‑set comeback against Alex Michelsen in a match that lasted more than four and a half hours. Shelton produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon that finished at 3:33 AM — one of the latest finishes in US Open history.
On the women’s side the draw read like a seeding sheet: Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff — the tournament’s Nos. 1–4 — all reached the semifinals, the first time the top four seeds have done so at a Grand Slam since 2009.
Sabalenka will meet Pegula in the first women’s semi as the Belarusian defends her title and chases a third consecutive US Open trophy in New York. In the other half, Rybakina — who secured a return to the top of the WTA rankings with her latest win over Zheng Qinwen — faces Coco Gauff, who advanced by upsetting Mira Andreeva.
The complete semifinal lineups are:
- Men: Alexander Zverev – Karen Khachanov
- Men: Frances Tiafoe – Ben Shelton
- Women: Aryna Sabalenka – Jessica Pegula
- Women: Elena Rybakina – Coco Gauff
Photo: press material from the event
