Alexander Zverev powered into the US Open semi-finals with a dominant straight-sets victory, even after staying awake until the early hours to watch one of the tournament’s most dramatic matches. The top seed dismantled Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, booking his place in the last four and underlining his status as one of the strongest contenders for the title.
The German’s performance stood out not only for its clinical efficiency but also for the unusual preparation that preceded it. Zverev openly admitted he had remained awake until 3:30 a.m. the previous night to follow Ben Shelton’s five-set thriller against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. That contest finished at 3:34 a.m. local time, marking the latest conclusion in the tournament’s history.
How Zverev Managed the Late Night and Still Delivered
After his own match, Zverev explained his decision with characteristic honesty. “I watched Shelton-Alcaraz until 3.30am last night,” he said. “I did not go to bed. I was up late. I was watching TV because I was sleeping in until 1pm anyway.” The top seed added credit to Shelton for producing an outstanding performance under pressure.
This was far from Zverev’s first encounter with late-night tennis at the 2026 US Open. His opening three matches had already finished at 1:55 a.m., 2:15 a.m. and 1:09 a.m. respectively. Despite the disrupted sleep schedule, the 29-year-old produced one of his cleanest displays of the fortnight against the Dutchman ranked outside the top 50.
Zverev took control early, breaking serve twice in the opening set and wrapping it up in just 35 minutes. The second set proved more competitive, with both players holding serve until the German broke at 5-5 and then closed it out. In the third set he accelerated again, breaking three times to complete the win in a little over two hours.
A Historic Season Continues to Unfold
The victory carries deeper significance beyond the immediate result. With this semi-final appearance, Zverev has reached the last four of all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season for the first time in his career. He becomes only the ninth man in the Open Era to achieve that feat.
In addition, the win marked his 23rd Grand Slam match victory of 2026. That total surpasses the previous German record of 22 set by Boris Becker in 1989. Zverev already claimed his first major title at the French Open earlier this year, defeating Flavio Cobolli in a five-set final on the same Court Philippe-Chatrier where he suffered a career-threatening injury in 2022. He followed that triumph by reaching the Wimbledon final, where he finished runner-up.
At 29 years and 143 days old, Zverev is the oldest player in the Open Era to reach all four major semi-finals in one calendar year. His consistency across surfaces has elevated him to world No. 1 seed status for the US Open in the absence of Jannik Sinner.
What Lies Ahead in the Semi-Finals
Zverev will next face Russian Karen Khachanov, who advanced when Belgian Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2. The pair have met nine times previously, with Zverev holding a 6-3 advantage. Their encounters include the gold-medal match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which Zverev won.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final will be an all-American affair between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. Shelton’s upset of Alcaraz has injected fresh energy into the home challenge, and Zverev himself acknowledged the appeal of that contest. “Credit to Ben, he played an unbelievable match,” the German noted. “Friday is going to be a fun semi-final between two Americans.”
Balancing Recovery and Ambition in New York
Late finishes have become a recurring theme for Zverev throughout this US Open. He has spoken about the cumulative effect on his body clock, at one point joking that he felt as though he was “playing the Australian Open in New York.” Yet the top seed has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to recover and raise his level as the tournament progresses.
After struggling through two five-set matches in the opening rounds, Zverev has now won his last three contests without dropping a set. The improved efficiency has reduced the physical load and allowed him to conserve energy for the decisive stages.
As he prepares for the semi-final against Khachanov, attention will focus on whether Zverev can maintain the high standard shown against van de Zandschulp. A place in a third successive Grand Slam final remains within reach, and a second major title of the season would further cement his transformation from perennial contender to established champion.
For tennis fans following the action in Flushing Meadows, Zverev’s ability to deliver a commanding performance after a sleepless night offers another reminder of his mental resilience. The German continues to rewrite his own record books while navigating the unique demands of a major tournament schedule that often stretches deep into the early hours.
With two matches remaining between him and the title, Alexander Zverev has once again shown that late bedtimes need not derail Grand Slam ambitions.
