Zverev reaches US Open semi-final after sleepless night

Alexander Zverev secured his spot in the US Open semi-finals with a straightforward 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 win over Botic van de Zandschulp in a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After the match, the top seed revealed he had skipped sleep the previous night to watch Ben Shelton's victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a contest that finished at 3:34am local time — the latest conclusion in the tournament's history. Zverev explained the late night was manageable since he typically sleeps until 1pm during the event.

The 29-year-old German has had his own share of late finishes this fortnight, with his first three matches ending at 1:55am, 2:15am and 1:09am respectively.

Zverev, chasing a third consecutive Grand Slam final, will next face Russia's Karen Khachanov, who advanced after Belgian Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2. The win means Zverev has now reached the semi-finals of all four majors in a single season for the first time in his career, a feat he described as increasingly feeling 'normal' while stressing it should never be taken for granted.

Blockx forced out by injuries

Playing in his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, 21-year-old Blockx was treated for a foot blister before a back problem worsened to the point he could not continue. He said his body 'just gave up,' adding he had already been managing a rib injury during his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo but chose to retire this time rather than risk his entire season.

Khachanov, reaching a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time since the 2023 Australian Open, wished Blockx a speedy recovery. The 30-year-old former world number eight has slipped to 50th in the rankings after a poor run of form and is unseeded at a major for the first time since 2018. He acknowledged he will need his best tennis to beat Zverev, who has enjoyed a standout season that includes his first Grand Slam title and a Wimbledon final appearance. Zverev, in turn, praised Khachanov's tennis knowledge, nicknaming him 'The Professor'.