Zverev beats Khachanov in straight sets to reach US Open final

Alexander Zverev advanced to the US Open final with a 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) victory over Karen Khachanov on Friday, securing his third consecutive appearance in a Grand Slam title match. According to BBC Sport's report by Paul Battison, the top seed saved two set points in the third set before completing a straight-sets win against the Russian, ranked 50th in the world.

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The result keeps Zverev in contention for his second major title of the season. The 29-year-old German won his first Grand Slam at the French Open in June, then reached the Wimbledon final in July, where Jannik Sinner beat him in four sets. His New York run has also completed a season in which he has reached the semi-finals at all four majors.

Zverev established the early advantage through efficient serving and successful trips forward. He won 13 of the 15 points played behind his first serve in the opening set and took all nine points he contested at the net. A break for a 5-3 lead gave him the opportunity to serve out the set, putting Khachanov behind before the match's two tighter sets.

Khachanov recovered from an early break in the second set to force a tie-break. He then saved a set point with a backhand that ended a 22-shot exchange. Zverev nevertheless secured another chance and converted it after a lengthy baseline rally, moving two sets ahead despite Khachanov's resistance. The third set produced no break points for either player, sending the contest into another tie-break.

This time Khachanov gained the initial advantage and earned two chances to extend the match. Zverev saved both set points and went on to seal victory when Khachanov hit a forehand long. It continued a marked improvement during the tournament: after needing five sets in each of his first two matches, Zverev has not lost a set since.

Zverev will meet either eighth seed Ben Shelton or 11th seed Frances Tiafoe in Sunday's final, with their all-American semi-final still to come at the time of the BBC report. This will be his sixth major final and second at the US Open. His previous appearance in the New York title match ended in a five-set defeat by Dominic Thiem in 2020.