Alexander Zverev reached the US Open final, beating Karen Khachanov in three sets with a score of 6:3, 7:6(7), 7:6(6). At first glance, it was a confident victory for the favorite. In reality, it was a match where the Russian twice forced the German to play at his limit in tie-breaks and showed that even as an underdog, he is capable of dictating the pace.
Zverev, having already won Roland Garros this season and reached the Wimbledon final, continues a streak of three consecutive Grand Slam finals. For the 29-year-old German, this is his second attempt to take the title in New York after his defeat in 2020. Khachanov, in turn, repeated his best result at the US Open and reached a major semifinal for the third time in his career, despite his modest 50 ranking.
The key to Zverev's victory was not so much the power of his serve, but his ability to maintain concentration in prolonged rallies. In decisive moments, the German won long rallies, including a 34-shot exchange in the second-set tie-break. Khachanov, having saved two set points in the first tie-break, ultimately succumbed, showing character but lacking precision in the key moments.
This match served as another reminder: in tennis, the difference between a top player and a solid mid-tier player is often measured not by technique, but by the ability not to falter when the score is even and fatigue sets in. Zverev, having gone through injuries and public trials, now looks like a player who has learned to turn pressure into fuel.
In the final, he awaits an American — either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe. For the USA, this is a chance to see their tennis player in a men's Grand Slam final for the first time since 2003. For Zverev, it is an opportunity to become the fourth player in the Open Era to win the first two majors in a single calendar year.
The victory over Khachanov is not just a step toward the title. It is confirmation that in an era when young stars frequently drop out due to injuries or form, it is experience and mental resilience that become the primary weapon.
