Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Alexander Zverev stays up for Shelton-Alcaraz US Open epic
Alexander Zverev had an important tennis match coming up.
But he stayed awake until 3:30 a.m.
to watch Ben Shelton play Carlos Alcaraz.
Shelton won their exciting match in five sets.
This means Shelton will play Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final.
Zverev then beat Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets.
He will next play Karen Khachanov.
Zverev has already won the French Open this year.
He is trying to reach another Grand Slam final.
Alexander Zverev said he watched Ben Shelton defeat Carlos Alcaraz until 3:30 a.m.
Shelton beat two-time champion Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarter-final.
The victory created an all-American semi-final between Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
Zverev reached the semi-finals by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets.
Zverev will face Karen Khachanov while seeking his second Grand Slam final of 2026.
- Who
- Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Karen Khachanov, and Botic van de Zandschulp.
- What
- Zverev discussed staying up to watch Shelton defeat Alcaraz, while also advancing to the US Open semi-finals.
- When
- Zverev watched the match until 3:30 a.m. on Thursday; he defeated van de Zandschulp on Wednesday.
- Where
- The matches took place at the US Open in New York.
- Why
- Zverev stayed up because he did not want to miss the anticipated Shelton-Alcaraz quarter-final.
- Zverev's viewing time
- He watched Shelton-Alcaraz until 3:30 a.m.
- Quarter-final result
- Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
- Zverev's result
- He defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1.
- Upcoming semi-final
- Zverev will play Karen Khachanov.
- Other semi-final
- Ben Shelton will play Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final.
- Zverev's 2026 wins
- He has 51 ATP Tour match victories this season.
- Grand Slam record
- His 23 Grand Slam match wins this season surpassed Boris Becker's German record of 22, set in 1989.