The US Open 2026 is set for a thrilling Friday, with two blockbuster semifinals lined up. The first semifinal will be an all-American clash between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, while Alexander Zverev will take on Karen Khachanov in the second semifinal of the day.
Shelton has been magnificent throughout the tournament and knocked out defending champion in the quarterfinals. Tiafoe has always done well at the US Open, but he came into the tournament with injury concerns and has not looked at his flawless best. However, he’s still found out a way to win. He suffered a scare in the first round against Martin Damm and was on the verge of getting knocked out in the quarterfinal in straight sets, but Alex Michelsen failed to close the game and allowed Tiafoe to come back into the contest.
Neither Tiafoe nor Shelton have ever reached a Grand Slam final, so it’s everything to play for the Americans. But since Shelton has been more solid and arrive in better shape, he’ll enter the contest as the favourite.
Stern Test For Zverev
Meanwhile, is the biggest title contender to win the US Open now that Alcaraz is out of the race. But standing in the way is Karen Khachanov. On paper, this looks like an easy match-up for Zverev, but the German shouldn’t take Khachanov for granted. The Russian is underrated, but he has every quality needed to compete against the best. The clash against Zverev is his third major semifinal, and he’d leave no stone unturned to upset the top seed.
Khachanov also knows what it takes to beat Alexander Zverev, having beaten him multiple times. The only time the two clashed at a Grand Slam was at the French Open in 2018, and it turned out to be a five-set thriller where Zverev won.