Zverev Beats Khachanov in Straight Sets to Reach US Open Final

Alexander Zverev came through 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 against Karen Khachanov in the US Open semifinals, a straight-sets win that was far tighter than the scoreline suggests. The German landed the only clean break of the match in the opening set and then relied on his delivery through two tiebreaks, striking 15 aces to Khachanov's six despite six double faults. Both men served at almost identical accuracy, 63.1 per cent to 63.0, and Khachanov actually won more first-serve points, 81.0 per cent against 78.6. The difference came behind the second ball, where Zverev took 56.1 per cent to the Russian's 54.1, enough to book his place in the final.