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Zverev Storms into US Open Semifinals Despite Late Bedtime
Confirmed
In Short: Alexander Zverev advanced to his third US Open semifinal, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, despite staying up late to watch a marathon quarter-final match.
The 29-year-old German star, who bagged his maiden slam at the French Open in June, never looked in trouble as he powered to a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev will face unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals on Friday, aiming to secure his second Grand Slam title.
Zverev's journey to the semi-finals has been challenging, with his opening three matches ending at 1:55am, 2:15am, and 1:09am. "I think it's a very special feeling when it becomes normality," Zverev said, acknowledging the late-night finishes. "We call him 'The Professor', actually, because he knows everything about tennis, and he knows every single string tension, knows what everybody does, so that's quite fun," he added, referring to Khachanov.
Zverev has also become only the ninth different men's player in the Open Era to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season. His performance against van de Zandschulp was particularly effective in the second set, where he denied the Dutchman a comeback opportunity with a gruelling 33-shot rally.
What's confirmed
- The 29-year-old German star, who bagged his maiden slam at the French Open in June, never looked in trouble as he powered to a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev will face unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals on Friday, aiming to secure his second Grand Slam title.
- Zverev's journey to the semi-finals has been challenging, with his opening three matches ending at 1:55am, 2:15am, and 1:09am. "I think it's a very special feeling when it becomes normality," Zverev said, acknowledging the late-night finishes. "We call him 'The Professor', actually, because he knows everything about tennis, and he knows every single string tension, knows what everybody does, so that's quite fun," he added, referring to Khachanov.
- Zverev has also become only the ninth different men's player in the Open Era to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season. His performance against van de Zandschulp was particularly effective in the second set, where he denied the Dutchman a comeback opportunity with a gruelling 33-shot rally.
What's still developing
- Following his victory, Zverev revealed he had stayed up to watch Shelton's win over defending champion Alcaraz in a match that ended at 03:34 local time on Wednesday - the latest finish in the tournament's history.
- "I watched Shelton-Alcaraz until 3.30am last night," Zverev said.
- "I think the more often that you get to that stage, the more normal it becomes, which is something that you should never take for granted," said Zverev, who ended his wait for a maiden major at this year's French Open.
- "I think you saw in the first two rounds, I really didn't play well," Zverev said.
- The 30-year-old said he will have to come up with his "best form" to defeat Zverev and reach his first major final.
- Alexander Zverev has reached all four Grand Slam semi-finals in a season for the first time in his career Alexander Zverev booked his place in the US Open semi-finals with a commanding victory over Botic van de Zandschulp - despite staying up until 3:30am to watch Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz's blockbuster quarter-final.
- "I think it's a very special feeling when it becomes normality." Gauff saves match points to set up Rybakina semi-final 'Just a number' - Rybakina's rise to world number one Hewett and Reid into last eight of US Open singles Zverev is the favourite to win the title following Alcaraz's exit, although it has taken time to reach his best level in New York.
- The German was taken to five sets in his opening two matches, while he has conceded 80 games at this year's tournament - the second most of any top seed en route to the semi-finals after only Rafael Nadal, who lost 85 games in 2018.