Alexander Zverev booked his place in the US Open semi-finals with a commanding victory over Botic van de Zandschulp – despite staying up until 3:30am to watch Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz’s blockbuster quarter-final.
The top seed swept aside the Dutchman with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 win in the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Following his victory, Zverev revealed he had stayed up to watch Shelton’s win over defending champion Alcaraz in a match that ended at 03:34 local time on Wednesday – the latest finish in the tournament’s history.
“I watched Shelton-Alcaraz until 3.30am last night,” Zverev said.
“I did not go to bed, I was up late, I was watching TV because I was sleeping in until 1pm anyway.”
The 29-year-old has had plenty of his own late-night finishes at this year’s tournament, with his opening three matches ending at 1:55am, 2:15am and 1:09am.
Bidding to reach a third successive Grand Slam final, Zverev will face Russian Karen Khachanov, who advanced after Alexander Blockx retired trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.
With his win over Van de Zandschulp, Zverev has reached all four Grand Slam semi-finals in a single season for the first time in his career.
“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,” said Zverev, who ended his wait for a maiden major at this year’s French Open.
“I think it’s a very special feeling when it becomes normality.”
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