Preview: Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head | US Open 2026

Alexander Zverev has not dropped a set since the second round

Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany reaches his first US Open semi-final since 2021 as he prepares to take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov. The German kickstarted his campaign in New York with back-to-back five-set battles that stretched beyond midnight.

Since those two hard-fought encounters, Zverev has found his path at the US Open considerably smoother, having not faced a top-20 opponent so far. He has benefited from a relatively favourable draw, with several higher-ranked players around him exiting the tournament early.

Having already won his first Grand Slam title this year in Paris, Zverev will now look to add another major trophy to his collection at a venue where he came agonisingly close to winning his maiden Grand Slam in 2020, losing the final to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the fifth set.

Standing in his way is Khachanov, reaching the semis after his opponent Alexander Blockx of Belgium retired injured. The Russian had taken the first two sets and secured a break in the third before the Romanian was unable to continue.

Match Details

• Tournament: US Open 2026
• Round: Semi-final
• Date: September 11
• Venue: New York, United States of America
• Surface: Hard

​Preview

Khachanov entered the 2026 US Open following a string of disappointing results, including opening-round exits in Cincinnati and Toronto. The Russian has also been plagued by injuries in recent years, which have affected his form upon return, and he eventually dropped outside the ATP top 50.

Related: US Open 2026 – Full updated schedule for today (September 11), Day 13

His campaign in New York has therefore been incredibly special. Khachanov has produced a series of impressive performances, most notably against third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and 14th seed Learner Tien of the USA, to reach the last four.

Khachanov is bidding for a maiden Grand Slam final appearance, but he faces a player who has historically held the upper hand. Zverev leads their head-to-head 6-3, including their most recent meeting in Cincinnati, where the Russian was forced to retire in the second set. Since 2020, Zverev has won three of the four times the pair have crossed paths.

Form

• Alexander Zverev: W-W-W-W-W
• Karen Khachanov: W-W-W-W-W

Head-to-head record

• Matches: 9
• Alexander Zverev: 6
• Karen Khachanov: 3

Stats

Alexander Zverev

• Zverev has a 51-13 win-loss record in the 2026 season.
• Zverev has a 33-10 win-loss record at the US Open.
• Zverev has won 68% of matches played on hard courts.

Karen Khachanov

• Khachanov has a 21-18 win-loss record in the 2026 season.
• Khachanov has a 16-10 win-loss record at the US Open.
• Khachanov has won 59% of matches played on hard courts.

Related: Explained – How Elena Rybakina dethroned Aryna Sabalenka to become WTA World No. 1

Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov: Betting tips and odds

• Moneyline: Zverev -500, Khachanov +350.
• Spread: Zverev -5.5 (-106), Khachanov +5.5 (-125).
• Total Sets: Over 3.5 (-167), Under 3.5 (+120).
• First Set Winner: Zverev -275, Khachanov +190.

Match Prediction

Zverev is the undoubted favourite not only to win this match but also to lift the title. However, on Friday, he will face a challenge that he has not encountered at this year’s US Open.

This will be Zverev’s first afternoon match of the tournament, with the organisers giving the all-American semi-final between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe the priority in the evening session. The change in conditions could prove significant, particularly because Khachanov has played most of his matches during the day.

After becoming accustomed to the cooler night conditions, Zverev will now have to adjust to the heat and different playing conditions in the afternoon. A similar change in conditions has troubled the German before, including at Wimbledon against Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.

If he struggles to adjust, the German could find himself in a difficult position and be forced to fight his way back from an early deficit. Nevertheless, with his powerful serve and ruthless forehand, Zverev should have enough weapons to prevail in what could be a long and physically demanding contest.

Result: Alexander Zverev to win in five sets.​

​Related: Records Ben Shelton set with five-setter US Open 2026 win over Carlos Alcaraz

Where and how to watch the live telecast and streaming of the Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov semi-final match at the US Open 2026?

Fans in India can watch the highly anticipated semi-final match between Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov on the Star Sports network and stream the match live on JioHotstar.

In the UK, fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, or stream it through a NOW Sports Pass. In the USA, viewers can follow the action on ESPN and ESPN+, while live TV streaming services carrying ESPN, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV (Orange Plan), and YouTube TV, also provide access.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram