Alexander Zverev Advances to US Open Semifinals, Surpasses Becker's Record

German tennis star Alexander Zverev has advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 US Open with a commanding quarterfinal victory over Botic van de Zandschulp. Zverev defeated the Dutch player 6:2, 7:5, 6:1 in just over two hours, despite not playing his absolute best tennis. Van de Zandschulp struggled with nerves and unforced errors, giving Zverev a relatively straightforward win.

This victory marks Zverev's third semifinal appearance at the US Open and underscores his impressive consistency this year, having reached the semifinals at every Grand Slam tournament. His 24 match wins in Grand Slam events during 2026 set a new German record, surpassing Boris Becker's 23 wins from 1989.

With the unexpected defeat of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev, now the top seed at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, has emerged as the tournament favorite. In the semifinals, he will face Karen Chatschanow, ranked 50th in the world and Zverev's opponent in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic final, rekindling their historic rivalry.

At 29 years old, Zverev is only two victories away from clinching another major title, bolstering his reputation on the international tennis stage. His consistent performance and record-breaking season make him one of the most formidable players currently competing.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Zverev as he seeks to capitalize on this momentum and make a strong push for his first US Open title, further cementing his legacy in German tennis history.