Alexander Zverev reaches US Open semifinals, breaks Boris Becker's German win record

Quarterfinal victory over Van de Zandschulp

Alexander Zverev advanced to the US Open semifinals with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dutch world number 70 Botic van de Zandschulp on Wednesday night. The top-seeded German needed 2 hours and 17 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to complete the straight-sets win, wrapping up the match at 22:20 local time. Van de Zandschulp, who previously reached the quarterfinals in New York as a qualifier five years earlier, created his only opening in the second set. After Zverev saved a break point during a 33-shot rally, he fought off a set point at 5-4 on his own serve before winning nine of the final ten games. The win followed earlier five-set battles in the first two rounds against Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys.

National record and Grand Slam milestones

The quarterfinal victory was Zverev's 23rd Grand Slam match win of 2026. The 29-year-old surpassed Boris Becker's German national record of 22 Grand Slam match wins in a single calendar year, set in 1989. The result also confirmed that Zverev reached at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2026, following his title at the French Open, a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, and a semifinal run at the Australian Open. Serving as a television expert for sporteurope.tv, Becker praised the achievement. Zverev noted that Becker still holds six Grand Slam titles, expressing hope to close that gap by securing two more wins in New York.

Semifinal matchup with Khachanov

Zverev will face Karen Khachanov on Friday in his third career US Open semifinal, having previously reached this stage in 2020 and 2021. Khachanov advanced when Belgian world number 34 Alexander Blockx retired with an upper body injury while trailing 2-6, 5-7, 2-3. The Russian world number 50 is contesting his third career Grand Slam semifinal and his second in New York. Zverev holds a 6-3 head-to-head record against Khachanov, including a victory in the gold medal match at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Khachanov praised Zverev's form following his quarterfinal win.

He is where he is because he earned it. This year he raised his level again. He won his first Grand Slam and was also in the Wimbledon final. He is really in top form.

Scheduling criticism ahead of Friday

Tournament organisers scheduled Zverev's semifinal against Khachanov for Friday afternoon at 15:00 local time (21:00 CEST). Zverev voiced disagreement with the decision, pointing out that all five of his previous matches during the tournament were held under floodlights in evening sessions. The second semifinal between American players Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton was assigned the 19:00 night session, even though both completed their quarterfinals on Tuesday and had two days of rest.

I find it somewhat strange that people who have two days off now play after us. That is something I have never experienced in my twelve years on tour.

The afternoon slot disrupts Zverev's established sleep and match routine in New York, although any potential final on Sunday would also take place during the day at 14:00 local time. In the other half of the draw, Shelton advanced by eliminating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a match that ended at 3:33 AM.