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Alexander Zverev moved a step closer to capturing his second career Grand Slam championship on Wednesday, delivering a composed performance to defeat the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets at Flushing Meadows. The German top seed took control on the main stage to secure a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory and punch his ticket to the semifinals in New York.
With the victory inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 29-year-old French Open champion advanced to the final four, where he is set to face Russian competitor Karen Khachanov. The clinical win reinforced Zverev’s championship credentials as the tournament enters its decisive concluding stages.
The result carries substantial weight across the tournament landscape, as Zverev now stands as the only Grand Slam winner remaining in the men’s singles bracket. The elimination of other major champions throughout the tournament has placed the German in a unique position of experience heading into the semifinal round.
By securing his place in the penultimate round in New York, Zverev also completed a clean sweep of major semifinal appearances this season. The German has successfully reached the final four at all four Grand Slam events this year, showcasing remarkable consistency across the major championships.
The victory also allowed Zverev to write his name into his country's record books. The quarterfinal triumph marked his 23rd Grand Slam match victory of the year, surpassing the longstanding German men's record of 22 major match wins in a single season established by Boris Becker in 1989.
Despite his dominant showing on Wednesday, Zverev’s campaign in New York experienced early turbulence before he steadily located his top form. The German admitted that his level in the early rounds was far below his usual standard, requiring resilience to remain in contention.
“I think you saw in the first two rounds, I really didn’t play well,” Zverev stated regarding his progression through the draw. “In other tournaments I would be out in the first round, but here I can fight back and play best of five sets, play four-and-a-half hours. I’ve started playing better throughout the tournament, and I’m definitely happy to be in the semifinals here.”
The opening stages of Wednesday’s quarterfinal match saw some lingering signs of those early serving struggles. Zverev produced an erratic start on Arthur Ashe Stadium, coughing up five double faults as he worked to establish a reliable baseline rhythm against his Dutch opponent.
However, Van de Zandschulp was unable to capitalize on the German's early delivery issues, frequently leaking unforced errors off his forehand. Zverev took advantage of these missteps to secure a crucial service break in the fifth game, quickly pulling away to capture the opening set 6-2.
The second set featured a much more determined effort from Van de Zandschulp, who regrouped to mount a stern challenge. The Dutchman cleaned up his play from the back of the court and pushed Zverev hard, threatening to level the match as the set approached its closing stages.
Zverev, however, demonstrated his championship poise by absorbing the mounting pressure. Turning the tide when it mattered most, the German reeled off three consecutive games to break the deadlock, claiming the second set 7-5 and shifting all the momentum firmly in his direction.
Having established a two-set cushion, Zverev stamped his authority on the match in the third set. He earned an early break of serve with an emphatic overhead smash and maintained unrelenting pressure from that point forward, dropping only one game as he cruised to the finish line.
The triumph marks Zverev’s third career appearance in the US Open semifinals. The German previously reached the final at Flushing Meadows in 2020, where he finished as the tournament runner-up, and he is now positioned for another charge at the elusive crown.
Even with his dominant performance and historical record, Zverev emphasized the importance of staying grounded in the face of shifting momentum. “I don’t take it for granted at all,” Zverev noted. “I know it can change in a heartbeat in tennis. I think confidence is something that is incredibly important but also can go away quite quickly.”
The German must now prepare for a familiar rival in the semifinals against Khachanov. The matchup will serve as a rematch of their high-profile clash in the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where Zverev claimed the Olympic title.
With his steady improvement throughout the fortnight and the confidence of 23 Grand Slam match victories this season behind him, Zverev enters the final weekend at Flushing Meadows as the central figure in the pursuit of the US Open trophy.
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