What a disappointment in the US Open quarterfinals: warning to Zverev

He US Open 2026 It is on its way to being one of the strangest editions of a tournament that is already one of the most special each season for being the last Grand Slam of the same season and meeting special conditions such as noise and the occasional whiff of a legal substance in New York from the age of 21.

No one repeats the title from one campaign to another in New York since the Swiss Roger Federer, who dominated from 2004 to 2008. Nor could the Spaniard break this bad streak Carlos Alcarazvictim in quarters Ben Shelton. In other circumstances, an unexpected result. In the current situation, amidst a long and delicate injury for months, an accident that could occur.

More and more eyes are focused on the German Alexander Zverevbut he is receiving warnings of the madness of his part of the picture, in which there is no calm day, where script twists abound.

Alexander Blockx, treated for blisters on his right foot, in his quarterfinal match against the Russian Karen Khachanov, from which he withdrewKirsty Wigglesworth/Ap-LaPresse

Now it was the turn of the young Belgian Alexander Blockx against the Russian veteran Karen Khachanov. The first semi-finalist from his country, in the men’s category, since in the women’s category they shone in their time Justine Henin and Kim Clijstersleft center court early. He retired with 2-6, 5-7 and 2-3, 1h.37′ of play.

Blockx, 21 years old and number 34, received medical attention on his foot due to blisters. He also complained about his hip. The left thigh kept the bandage from previous appointments. The physical and emotional effort of five games at a level of demand to which he is not yet accustomed broke him.

Karen Khachanov, of Russia, returns the ball to Alexander Blockx, of Belgium, during the quarterfinal round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) — The experienced Russian Karen Khachanov, in his second appearance in the US Open semifinalsKirsty Wigglesworth/Ap-LaPresse

More experienced, he went to the semifinals earlier than expected Karen Khachanov, 30 years old and No. 50. A former top 10 who has previous semifinals, at the US Open 2022 and the Australian Open 2023.

On Friday they will face Alexander Zverev or, if strength is with him because he has a lot of trouble from his comeback in the second round, the Dutch ‘giant killer’ Botic Van by Zandschulp. The fight for the European finalist place, in a duel with the United States, the survivor among friends and compatriots Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.