US Open 2026: Tickets for Alexander Zverev's semi-final match cheaper than one honey deuce
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Alexander Zverev is bidding for a maiden US Open title
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Tickets for Friday’s Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov semi-final have gone into freefall. Zverev will face Russian Khachanov for a place in the US Open 2026 final. The German, who lifted his maiden Slam at Roland Garros earlier this season, is eyeing his first US Open crown. Khachanov has matched his best-ever outing at Flushing Meadows.
According to tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg, who has been tracking resale listings, prices for the first men’s singles match have dropped by 89% in three days. They were found to be around $35 yesterday, and only a few hours ahead of the contest, some listings have been spotted as low as $19.
Either way, getting into Arthur Ashe for a Grand Slam semi-final now costs about the same as, or less than, the tournament’s own $23 Honey Deuce.
This is a new low that men’s tennis finds itself in. Zverev is the top seed, and this is arguably the best season of his career. The German won his maiden Grand Slam in Paris, reached the Wimbledon final, and reached the semi-finals at all four Slams.
Zverev cruised past Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarters without dropping a set and is yet to face a top-20 opponent this entire fortnight, a sign of just how much the draw opened up once Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament with a knee injury.
None of that seems to be moving tickets. Part of it is the timing, as Friday’s match starts in the afternoon, following the women’s doubles final.
Another reason is that Khachanov is the opponent. The Russian is ranked outside the top 40, and is not a popular face among the American crowd.
If the seedings had held, Zverev could have potentially been up against Taylor Fritz or Flavio Cobolli, which would have undoubtedly attracted more eyeballs.
Zverev himself is not the most marketable player on tour. His on-court results haven’t translated into ticket demand, and his off-court reputation has been significantly damaged due to the domestic abuse allegations levied on him in the past.
Also Read: Which player has the best odds to win US Open 2026?
The numbers back it up. Zverev’s 2026 Wimbledon final against Sinner drew just 5.95 million peak viewers in the UK, down from 8.3 million the year before and the lowest audience for a men’s final there in three years.
Take Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic out of the picture, and it turns out that interest in the men’s game drops fast.
The bulk of the interest and anticipation remains invested in the second semi-final clash, which is an all-American showdown between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
Despite the two playing their QF matches on Wednesday, and getting a two-day break, their match received the prime time slot, as a result of which Zverev will play his first afternoon match of the competition.
Where and when will Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov semi-final match take place at US Open 2026?
The semi-final clash will be played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on September 11 (Friday). It is scheduled to begin at 3 pm local time (12:30 am Saturday).
What is the current ticket price for the Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov semi-final match at US Open 2026?
The ticket prices, hours before the match, have gone down to as low as $19 (Rs 1815) on Stubhub according to reports.
What is the reason behind the sudden fall in tricket price for the Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov semi-final?
Part of the reason could be the timing, as Friday’s match starts in the afternoon, following the women’s doubles final. Another reason is that Khachanov is the opponent. The Russian is ranked outside the top 40, and is not a popular face among the American crowd. If the seedings had held, Zverev could have potentially been up against Taylor Fritz or Flavio Cobolli, which would have undoubtedly attracted more eyeballs. Zverev himself is not the most marketable player on tour. His on-court results haven’t translated into ticket demand, and his off-court reputation has been significantly damaged due to the domestic abuse allegations levied on him in the past.
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