Zverev Reaches US Open Final

Alexander Zverev beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) in the US Open semifinals on Friday to reach a third straight Grand Slam final and his second final in New York. The top seed stayed in control after an early break, then held his nerve through two tie-breaks to close the Russian out in straight sets.

That puts Zverev into Sunday's showpiece after winning the French Open in June and losing the Wimbledon final to Jannik Sinner. His only prior US Open final was a five-set heartbreak against Dominic Thiem in 2020. He will face either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe, who were set for Friday night's all-American semifinal.

Two tie-breaks, one calm finish

Zverev won 13 of 15 points behind his first serve and all nine points at the net in the opening set, broke for 5-3, and served it out. Khachanov clawed back from an early break in the second and forced a tie-break, saving set point with a 22-shot rally. Zverev still took the breaker 9-7 with baseline defense that finally cracked the world No. 50.

The third set stayed on serve with zero break points until another tie-break. Khachanov jumped ahead and earned two set points. Zverev saved both, then closed when Khachanov floated a forehand long. Arms wide toward his box, the German walked into a sixth major final without dropping a set since his five-set slog through the first two rounds.

Sunday stakes in New York

With Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz dealing with injury issues this season, Zverev has reached all four Slam semis and now a third final in a row. Fantasy and DFS boards already priced him as the favorite in New York. The other half is still an American dream night: Shelton or Tiafoe will bring Arthur Ashe with them, and Zverev knows it.

"Tonight will be an epic semi-final and I am looking forward to watching it. Hopefully I can not make their American dream come true," Zverev said after the win, per BBC Sport. He also joked that he and his team laughed at how poorly he played in the second round before the level climbed.

Tennis fans wanted a clean path into the final. They got two tie-breaks and a top seed who refused to blink. Sunday decides whether Zverev adds a second major of the year or watches another American party under the lights.