Analysis of the US Open semifinals: Zverev favored against opponents hungry for victory

The US Open 2026 has reached its final stretch after two exhilarating weeks, full of surprises and numerous five-set matches. The last Grand Slam of the season is gearing up for semifinals that promise strong emotions, with Alexander Zverev, the top seed, emerging as the main contender, but the other three challengers, Karen Khachanov, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe, are looking to make history.

Following the early exits of Novak Djokovic, Arthur Fils, and Rafa Jódar, along with other unexpected early defeats, such as those of Félix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, and Taylor Fritz, combined with the commendable quarterfinal run of Carlos Alcaraz, these four semifinalists have shown the most consistency on the Flushing Meadows courts. Moreover, they have been able to endure when necessary, as all four have had to go at least once to the fifth set.

Additionally, it is worth noting that, excluding Alexander Zverev, who has already touched glory at Roland Garros, both Shelton and Khachanov and Tiafoe are on the verge of their first Grand Slam final and seek their first ‘major’ in their showcases. Meanwhile, the German could go from several years of drought and setbacks to finishing 2026 with two majors.

Friday's matchups at the US Open are set 🔒 pic.twitter.com/HxGcEV9hqc

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2026

Alexander Zverev - Karen Khachanov: clash of the power hitters

If anyone has been meeting expectations at this US Open, it is Zverev. While he had to go to five sets in his first two matches, and considering his inconsistent performance in Montreal and Cincinnati, the Hamburg player has managed to handle the pressure of being the top seed, something he previously struggled with. It seemed that the tennis he displayed at Roland Garros and Wimbledon was the result of the European summer, but as he progressed through the rounds in New York, he has rediscovered that aggressive playing style that makes him a real threat. Especially with his serve and a forehand that is no longer passive and harmless, turning into a shot he starts to dominate as well as his backhand.

On the other side of the net will be one of the surprises of the tournament, not for his tennis, which everyone knows Khachanov has, but because he arrives after a very inconsistent 2026 where his best result to date had been a quarterfinal in Rome. In fact, he had not recorded any victories on this North American hard court swing, and upon arriving in New York, he has already accumulated five consecutive wins thanks to his serve, that hammer that makes him unstoppable when it lands. Coupled with his forehand that makes any type of long exchange impossible.

Thus, a duel with few rallies and a great predominance of serves is expected. In this way, the return games are likely to be key to breaking down the great wall that both have at service. On paper, Zverev is the favorite to advance to Sunday’s final, especially since he has the head-to-head advantage (6-3).

Ben Shelton - Frances Tiafoe: Two power hitters and the hope of American tennis

It has been 23 years since an American tennis player has won a Grand Slam or a US Open. Since Andy Roddick in 2003, the North American country has longed for a successor that could very well be in this second semifinal. Furthermore, both are power hitters with their serves just like the one from Nebraska.

Both Shelton and Tiafoe enjoy the US Open courts; they both have the affection and support of the crowd and tend to display their best tennis at Flushing Meadows. Therefore, it is no surprise to anyone that both are in the semifinals, a round that both have previously reached.

Image

The two Americans arrive after separate five-set battles. They both rely heavily on their great serving and their forehand when they do not finish off with their serve. While they struggle with their backhand, the key to this clash will likely come down to who can better exploit the Achilles' heel of their opponent. That said, they are two of the players who leave the most repetition and ‘highlights’ in their matches, and tomorrow will be no different.

In their previous encounters, Shelton has won three times to Tiafoe's one. The last matchup dates back to 2025, when the Atlanta player took victory in the quarterfinals of Washington. This semifinal might be more even than the first, although perhaps Shelton has a slight advantage coming off defeating the reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz, and for the title he won in Montreal at the start of the swing.

Only four players remain from the 128 who started in the men's main draw of the US Open. Alexander Zverev, Karen Khachanov, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe. While there may be doubts about who to root for among them, the certainty everyone agrees on is that there will be great entertainment at the vibrant Arthur Ashe.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Análisis de las semifinales del US Open: Zverev, favorito ante unos rivales con mucha hambre