Alexander Zverev is through to the US Open final for the second time after a hard-fought battle with Karen Khachanov on Friday.

Zverev, who will play in his third straight grand slam final in 2026, was put to the test in their three-hour clash, but came out on top in a 6-3 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (8-6) victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The pair were evenly matched in the opening stages of the semi-final, with the first seven games remaining on serve as neither could force a break point.

But Zverev soon changed that in the eighth game as he gained the advantage and rounded off the first set with a three-game winning run.

He then got another break at the start of the second, taking a 2-0 lead, but Khachanov quickly cancelled that out on his first attempt.

The Russian forced another break point in the sixth game, but Zverev defended it before a tie-break was needed to separate the two.

It was a topsy-turvy breaker, with Zverev opening up a 3-1 lead before Khachanov won the next four points, but the top seed turned it back on its head at 6-5. He failed to convert his first two set points, but an unforced error at the wrong time for Khachanov settled the second set.

It was another tightly contested third set, with neither player giving up any openings while on serve, meaning another tie-break was needed to separate them.

Khachanov looked set to keep the match going when he held set point at 6-4, but he failed to convert either of his chances, with Zverev reeling off the final four points to get over the line.

Relishing the BIG STAGE @AlexZverev #USOpen pic.twitter.com/46GN4Dn2If

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 11, 2026

Zverev closes in on more grand slam glory

Zverev (29 years 123 days) is the second-oldest player to reach major finals on three surfaces in a season, younger than only Novak Djokovic (2021 and 2023).

The German is, however, the oldest player to achieve the feat for the first time. He has already lifted the French Open this year – his maiden major title – before losing the Wimbledon showpiece to Jannik Sinner.

He did not have it all his own way in the final, despite winning in straight sets for the fourth consecutive match, with Khachanov giving it his all to extend the semi-final, only to fall short.

Since 1973, Zverev (French Open and US Open) is now just the second player to reach multiple grand slam finals in a season without facing an ATP top-20 player en route, after Roger Federer in 2008 (Roland Garros and Wimbledon).

As such, the Russian failed to reach a maiden grand slam final, but Zverev is through to his sixth, equalling Daniil Medvedev for the fourth-most among active players – he trails only Djokovic (38), Carlos Alcaraz (eight) and Sinner (seven).

Next up for him will be an American in Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe, meaning the crowd will be against him, but he will be hoping for a much smoother ride. He has conceded 95 games at this year's US Open already, meaning he has some tightening up to do.