Just In: Alexander Zverev hits out at US Open bosses over something he’s ‘never experienced’ before
Alexander Zverev has hit out at the scheduling of his US Open semi-final match with Karen Khachanov and described the situation as ‘strange’. The German, still buoyed by his first-ever Grand Slam title earlier this year, downed 70th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
A win in the semi-final versus Khachanov will see Zverev into his third Grand Slam final in a row, having lost to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in July. But Zverev has hit out at the US Open’s organisers, criticising them for scheduling his last-four match before the all-American Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe clash.
French Open champion Zverev played his quarter-final a day later than the two Americans, but has been pencilled in to start the semi-final before 3pm New York time on Friday. Meanwhile, Shelton and Tiafoe will be starting a few hours later after 7pm local time.
When commenting on the decision, the 29-year-old remarked: “I don’t think it’s something that plays in my favour. Certainly not. I also think it’s a bit strange that people who have two days off are playing after us. I’ve never experienced that. I’ve never experienced that in my 12 years on tour. But it is what it is. It’s a bit strange.”
With Carlos Alcaraz having been knocked out, and Jannik Sinner absent, Zverev once again has a golden opportunity to add another Slam to his name. On the consistency he’s shown at the majors this season, Zverev said: “I think the more often that you get to that stage, the more normal it becomes, which is something that you should never take for granted.
I think it’s a very special feeling when it becomes normality. I don’t take it for granted at all. I know it can change in a heartbeat in tennis. I think confidence is something that is incredibly important, but also can go away quite quickly.
I found that out after Wimbledon, where I didn’t play well throughout the two hard-court tournaments, and then I found it again here. Of course, I’m happy with how things are going, but looking forward, I still hope to play two good matches here.”
Meanwhile, Khachanov, who progressed after a retirement from his opponent Alexander Blockx, said: “I was preparing really well for that match-up; it’s not easy because I feel I was dominating then I felt he was struggling more and more. He was suffering, but I wanted to keep the energy there. I wish him a speedy recovery but I’m super happy I’m in the semis
