Another big night at the US Open 2026 produced four very different quarterfinal stories. Alexander Zverev moved within two wins of his second Grand Slam title, Elena Rybakina reached her first US Open semifinal and secured the world No. 1 ranking, while Coco Gauff survived a huge scare against Mirra Andreeva. For Karen Khachanov, the path opened after Alexander Blockx was forced to retire with the Belgian battling physical issues.
Zverev was the most comfortable winner of the day, beating Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets. Rybakina and Gauff both had to fight back after losing the opening set, while Khachanov advanced after Blockx’s retirement. The semifinal line-up is now taking shape, with Zverev set to face Khachanov and Rybakina meeting Gauff.
Alexander Zverev Sweeps Aside Botic van de Zandschulp
Alexander Zverev took another big step towards a second Grand Slam title by beating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to reach the US Open semifinals.
The German was far from convincing on serve at Arthur Ashe Stadium and coughed up five double faults during an erratic start. But van de Zandschulp could not make the most of those openings, leaking forehand errors that allowed the top seed to break in the fifth game.
Zverev took the first set and then had to work harder in the second. Van de Zandschulp regrouped and came close to levelling the contest, but Zverev absorbed the pressure before reeling off three games in a row to swing the momentum back his way.
Alexander Zverev: a tennis fan just like us pic.twitter.com/rfN4wd1LNa
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2026
The third set was much more straightforward. Zverev fired an overhead smash to break early and never looked back, sealing another straight-sets victory.
The 2020 runner-up has now reached his third US Open semifinal and will face Karen Khachanov next.
Elena Rybakina Reaches First US Open Semifinal and Claims No. 1 Ranking
Elena Rybakina produced one of the biggest moments of her career by reaching her first US Open semifinal and securing the world No. 1 ranking with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 comeback win over Qinwen Zheng.
Rybakina struggled in the opening set as Zheng won the final three games to take control. But the No. 2 seed responded immediately, winning the first three games of the second set before pulling level at 1-1.
Zheng then led 4-3 in the deciding set, but Rybakina swept the final three games. The key moment came in the ninth game when she broke Zheng’s serve to move ahead before closing out the match.
Rybakina won 80% of her first-serve points, going 32-for-40, and finished with a 20-18 edge in winners.
“It’s just a number right now and, of course, I’m in the semis, so my goal is to win the tournaments which I play,” Rybakina said.
The Moscow-born player represents Kazakhstan and will replace Aryna Sabalenka as the world’s top-ranked player when the rankings are released on Monday.
Coco Gauff Survives Mirra Andreeva Scare
Coco Gauff had to dig deep to keep her US Open title defence alive, overcoming Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 after saving two match points in the second-set tiebreak.
Andreeva came flying out of the blocks, winning the first four games and taking the opening set in just 27 minutes. Gauff struggled to find her rhythm and finished the match with 12 double faults and 42 unforced errors.
The American, however, changed the momentum in the second set. She moved 5-3 ahead before Andreeva fought back to force a tiebreak.
That was where Gauff found her biggest moment. Andreeva had two match points, but Gauff saved both and won the final three points to level the match.
Once the deciding set began, Gauff took control. Andreeva won the opening game, but Gauff dominated the rest to complete the comeback in two hours and 19 minutes.
“I just had to reset,” Gauff said. “I came out not feeling the ball, giving her too many free points, and you know, Mirra was playing a great level.”
Gauff now faces newly crowned world No. 1 Rybakina in the semifinals.
“Elena, she’s a new World No. 1, so, it’s going to be a tough match,” Gauff said. “Last time we played, it was a tough three-setter for me, and I’m looking forward to the battle. These are the moments you live for, and I’m excited.”
Karen Khachanov Advances After Alexander Blockx Retires
Karen Khachanov reached his first Grand Slam semifinal since 2023 after Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.
The No. 28 seed was playing in his first career major quarterfinal but was already carrying a rib injury from his fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo when he took painkillers to continue.
Blockx was battling upper-body pain against Khachanov and required multiple medical timeouts before eventually being forced to stop.
For Khachanov, the retirement sends him into another major semifinal and sets up a meeting with Zverev.
The Russian will now look to produce another upset as he takes on the German top seed for a place in the US Open final.
(With inputs from Reuters)
