Zverev storms into semi-finals despite late bedtime

Title: US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev storms into semi-finals despite late bedtime

URL Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cdr7kmz2zx3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

Published Time: 2026-09-10T03:50:43.338Z

Markdown Content:

[BBC Homepage](https://www.bbc.com/)

• [Skip to content](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cdr7kmz2zx3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss#main-heading)

• [Accessibility Help](https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/)

• [Sign in](https://session.bbc.com/session?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Farticles%2Fcdr7kmz2zx3o%3Fat_medium%3DRSS%26amp%3Bat_campaign%3Drss&userOrigin=SPORT_GNL&sequenceId=05e04908-5d6c-496e-95ce-36c4b6b6581c)

• [Home](https://www.bbc.com/)

• [News](https://www.bbc.com/news)

• [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport)

• [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business)

• [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology)

• [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health)

• [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture)

• [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts)

• [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel)

• [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet)

• [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio)

• [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video)

• [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live)

[More menu](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cdr7kmz2zx3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss#global-navigation-more-menu)

[More menu](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cdr7kmz2zx3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss#global-navigation-more-menu)

[Search BBC](https://www.bbc.com/search?d=SPORT_GNL)

• [Home](https://www.bbc.com/)

• [News](https://www.bbc.com/news)

• [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport)

• [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business)

• [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology)

• [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health)

• [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture)

• [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts)

• [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel)

• [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet)

• [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio)

• [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video)

• [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live)

Close menu

[BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

[Menu](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/all-sports)

• [Home](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

• [Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football)

• [Cricket](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket)

• [Formula 1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1)

• [Rugby U](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union)

• [Tennis](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis)

• [Golf](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf)

• [Cycling](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling)

• [Athletics](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics)

[More](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/all-sports)

**A-Z Sports**

• [American Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football)

• [Athletics](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics)

• [Basketball](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball)

• [Boxing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing)

• [Cricket](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket)

• [Cycling](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling)

• [Darts](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts)

• [Disability Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport)

• [Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football)

• [Formula 1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1)

• [Gaelic Games](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/gaelic-games)

• [Golf](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf)

• [Gymnastics](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics)

• [Horse Racing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing)

• [Mixed Martial Arts](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts)

• [Motorsport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport)

• [Netball](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball)

• [Rugby League](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league)

• [Rugby Union](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union)

• [Snooker](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker)

• [Swimming](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming)

• [Tennis](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis)

• [Full Sports A-Z](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/all-sports)

**More from Sport**

• [England](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/england)

• [Scotland](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland)

• [Wales](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales)

• [Northern Ireland](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland)

• [Quizzes](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/quizzes)

• [News Feeds](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/15890345)

• [Help & FAQs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/15561348)

• [Tennis](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis)

• [Scores & Schedule](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/scores-and-schedule)

• [Quizzes](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c4gy5x85py8o)

• [Calendar](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/calendar)

Zverev storms into semi-finals despite late bedtime

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Alexander Zverev has reached all four Grand Slam semi-finals in a season for the first time in his career

By Emily Salley

BBC Sport journalist

• Published 11 minutes ago

**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.**

The top seed swept aside the Dutchman with a 6-2 7-5 6-1 win in the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c20v6pgz7nmo)

"I watched Shelton-Alcaraz until 3.30am last night," Zverev said.

"I did not go to bed, I was up late, I was watching TV because I was sleeping in until 1pm anyway."

The 29-year-old has had plenty of his own late-night finishes at this year's tournament, with his opening three matches ending at 1:55am, 2:15am and 1:09am.

Bidding to reach a third successive Grand Slam final, Zverev will face Russian Karen Khachanov, who advanced after Alexander Blockx retired trailing 6-2 7-5 3-2.

With his win over Van de Zandschulp, Zverev has reached all four Grand Slam semi-finals in a single season for the first time in his career.

"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 it's a very special feeling when it becomes normality."

*

[Gauff saves match points to set up Rybakina semi-final](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c98670d418yo)

• Published 4 hours ago

*

['Just a number' – Rybakina's rise to world number one](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c70l7qgw87do)

• Published 9 hours ago

*

[Hewett and Reid into last eight of US Open singles](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cn07r7k7l4yo)

• Published 5 hours ago

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.

"I think you saw in the first two rounds, I really didn't play well," Zverev said.

"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 semi-finals here."

Zverev has won 23 singles matches at majors in 2026 – the most by a German man in a single season, surpassing Boris Becker's 22 in 1989.

Blockx run ruined by injury as 'Professor' Khachanov progresses

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Blockx had never advanced past the second round at a major before this year's US Open

Blockx's dream run in New York ended in cruel fashion earlier on Wednesday as the Belgian was forced to retire after suffering a series of injuries in his quarter-final against Khachanov.

Playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, the 21-year-old first received medical treatment for a blister on his foot before struggling with a back issue.

"I think today my body just gave up," said Blockx, who had come close to retiring from his fourth-round win against Francisco Cerundolo with a rib injury.

"During the match, it was quite funny to me. I just had to laugh it off because it was just something new the whole time.

"I felt it was getting worse and worse. I couldn't land without feeling pain, without feeling my back, my ribs. So I just didn't want to yeah, maybe make it worse to miss the entire season."

Khachanov wished Blockx a "speedy recovery" after he secured his place in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time since the Australian Open in 2023.

A former world number eight, a disappointing run of results over the past few months have resulted in Khachanov's ranking dipping to 50 and he is unseeded at a major for the first time since 2018.

The 30-year-old said he will have to come up with his "best form" to defeat Zverev and reach his first major final.

"He's been in the top five for so many years. This year he did also step forward. He won his first Grand Slam, played the final in Wimbledon, as well. He's coming up really in hot form," Khachanov said.

Zverev, meanwhile, says he will have to be wary of his opponent and his extensive knowledge of the game.

"We call him [Khachanov] '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," Zverev said.

Related topics

• [Tennis](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis)

More on this story

*

[How to follow US Open on the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cddv720123vo)

• Published 1 hour ago


• [Live scores, results and order of play](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/scores-and-schedule) 

*

[Get tennis news sent straight to your phone](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cl5q9dk9jl3o)

• Published 28 August


Shorts

Previous Next, 2 to 4 of 7

• 0:49 Can Mac Allister prove to Liverpool that he's worthy of a new contract? 00:00:49, play video Can Mac Allister prove to Liverpool that he's worthy of a new contract?

• 0:35 Arteta thinks Odegaard has an 'edge' this season. 00:00:35, play video Arteta thinks Odegaard has an 'edge' this season

• 0:29 Benn 'dragged to the pits of hell' to make weight. 00:00:29, play video Benn 'dragged to the pits of hell' to make weight

• 0:55'The puzzle is very different when Gyokeres is playing' – Onuoha. 00:00:55, play video'The puzzle is very different when Gyokeres is playing' – Onuoha

• 1:08 Steve Borthwick's deal extended into 2028. 00:01:08, play video Steve Borthwick's deal extended into 2028

• 1:14 Warnock on Mac Allister – Come and get me. 00:01:14, play video Warnock on Mac Allister – Come and get me

• 0:42 Wild celebrations after Rangers snatch late win over St Mirren. 00:00:42, play video Wild celebrations after Rangers snatch late win over St Mirren

Top stories

*

[Arsenal are passing every test – and Odegaard is in form of his life](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8737p0977o)

• Published 5 hours ago

*

[Liverpool will reward Mac Allister if he lets his football do talking](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crl6zyr1gw5o)

• Published 4 hours ago

*

[What next for LIV Golf's star players, and its fight for survival?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c0re742dpw1o)

• Published 13 hours ago

Elsewhere on the BBC

• [Dust off your dancing shoes and warm up for the new series](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006m8dq/watch/p0p8kg0s?at_mid=effHGfE3XH&at_campaign=BBC_Trailer_Strictly_Come_Dancing_2026&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=b006m8dq&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=BBC_Trailer_Strictly_Come_Dancing_2026&at_bbc_team=BBC) 

• [Josh Baker sets out to uncover an American journalist's abduction](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00316yg?at_mid=ccAc2K8tLT&at_campaign=Im_Not_A_Monster_Where_Is_Austin_Tice&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p08yblkf&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Im_Not_A_Monster_Where_Is_Austin_Tice&at_bbc_team=BBC&at_creation=News) 

• [An unlikely gang set out to catch a killer who shattered rural peace](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00303ft?at_mid=iCQbYPAW1f&at_campaign=The_Marlow_Murder_Club_S1&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m00303fr&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Marlow_Murder_Club_S1&at_bbc_team=BBC) 

• [The week's biggest news stories, remixed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030xj5?at_mid=i0fLZQ2hBY&at_campaign=The_Skewer_2_Sept_2026&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=m000czyb&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Skewer_2_Sept_2026&at_bbc_team=BBC) 

Elsewhere in Sport

• [Arsenal are passing every test – and Odegaard is in form of his life](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8737p0977o) 

• [Liverpool will reward Mac Allister if he lets his football do talking](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crl6zyr1gw5o) 

• [How Mac Allister 'let his feet do the talking' – Warnock. Video How Mac Allister 'let his feet do the talking' – Warnock](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0p8tylf) 

• [What next for LIV Golf's star players, and its fight for survival?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c0re742dpw1o) 

• ['Embarrassing' Pakistan break record in innings to forget](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c62mn0zn657o) 

• [Borthwick's holding pattern extended – with minimal confidence vote](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cy8z5gkenl2o) 

• [Kimi Raikkonen's son Robin, 11, signs for Red Bull](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c3v437155e3o) 

• [Are women better than men at endurance running?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cwyzx1gxwqlo) 

• [McLaren talks, 'numb' cars and being 'captain of the ship' – Verstappen Q&A](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cy4ze023nvro) 

• [Bouaddi impresses on first start – have Man City found 'a gem'?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy0zq59gr21o) 

• [West Ham go top of Championship – are they ready to leave past behind?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp80znxj2dmo) 

• [Who will reach Super Bowl? – NFL predictions for 2026 season](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/articles/cz9zwl81g7go) 

• [London amateur goalkeeper could be next in line for Ugandan throne](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c86x0q008e5o) 

• [How £725 game-show winnings kick-started Champions League coach's career](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgy8w548yyo) 

• [Kelce's last dance? Five things to look out for in new NFL season](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/articles/cly46kylr9lo) 

• [Taylor's place among greats set in stone after extraordinary swansong](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/c5yjr8pp0jwo) 

• ['My position now is as one of two 10s' – Kane breaks down his evolution](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cx2z7rjn2p2o) 

• [Home](https://www.bbc.com/)

• [News](https://www.bbc.com/news)

• [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport)

• [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business)

• [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology)

• [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health)

• [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture)

• [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts)

• [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel)

• [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet)

• [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio)

• [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video)

• [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live)

• [Terms of Use](https://www.bbc.com/pages/terms-of-use)

• [About the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc)

• [Privacy Policy](https://www.bbc.com/pages/privacy-policy)

• [Cookies](https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies)

• [Accessibility Help](https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility)

• [Parental Guidance](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance)

• [Contact the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact)

• [Careers](https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers)

• [BBC emails for you](https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter)

• [Advertise with us](https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/)

• Do not share or sell my info

Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [Read about our approach to external linking.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds)

Skip to end of content

Close Modal

Play previous item

Play next item, item 1 of 7, Can Mac Allister prove to Liverpool that he's worthy of a new contract?, 00:00:49

End of content. Close Modal

Skip to close button