Alexander Zverev ATP US Open 2026

Zverev could reach the US Open semifinals without defeating a top-20 player

Diego Jiménez Rubio - 4 Sep 2026
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Alexander Zverev, rivals until the semifinals of the US Open. Photo: gettyimages

Alexander Zverev is enduring a tough time to stay alive in the US Open 2026, but after agonizingly getting through the first two rounds against Sonego and Halys, he sees how his part of the draw has cleared out of high-ranked players. So much so, that the German could reach the semifinals without having to face any top-20 player.

Tabilo and Darderi, major threats to Zverev at the US Open

Such a situation is quite unusual and can be explained by the defeats of Musetti, Jódar, and De Miñaur, which significantly smooth the path for Sascha. While it is true that Alejandro Tabilo can be an unsettling opponent in the third round, especially if Zverev fails to raise his tennis level, and that Luciano Darderi is a competitive player and could be his obstacle in the round of 16, it’s certain they do not pose as serious a threat as any of the three already eliminated players who seemed to stand as major hurdles for the German on his path to glory.

There will be a new Grand Slam quarterfinalist at the US Open 2026

Zverev can be quite satisfied with continuing in the tournament and doing so from this competitive advantage, but he cannot relax in the slightest, as his match against Tabilo looks much more complex than any he could have in the round of 16 and, especially, in the quarterfinals. Leading up to the semifinals, Zheng, Gea, Bergs, or Van de Zandschulp will contest the spot that would allow them to face the Hamburg player.

Therefore, we will have a new Grand Slam quarterfinalist guaranteed at the US Open 2026, while Alexander Zverev may have a much easier path than expected. In the semifinals, noteworthy rivals are already on the horizon, like Cobolli, Mensik, Tien, Fritz, or Cerúndolo. In short, there is still a lot of work to do for Sascha, but with promising prospects.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev podría llegar a semifinales del US Open sin ganar a un top-20