One semi-final to preview from Flushing Meadows today, and it's a matchup we've seen plenty of times before. Zverev vs Khachanov, with a Grand Slam final on the line.
US Open Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Zverev 6-3 Khachanov
Zverev leads this one pretty comfortably across their career meetings, and the big question isn't really whether he wins but whether Khachanov can stretch him to five. The Russian is no pushover at this level, and he hits the ball hard enough on hard courts to make things uncomfortable, especially on a surface that doesn't punish flat ball-striking the way clay does. He's made a semi-final here before, so the stage won't get to him.
That said, Zverev has been the more consistent performer over the years and comes in as the world number two for good reason. He's become so good at not panicking in long matches and if Khachanov takes a set or two, I don't think that changes anything. Five sets feels plausible here, but Zverev's depth and variety in the rallies should be enough to get through, all things considered.
Prediction: Zverev in 5
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