Zverev, Blockx, Khachanov and Michelsen Complete Men's QF at US Open

Zverev dominant: 13 aces, never broken, Van de Zandschulp next

Alexander Zverev produced a commanding performance on Tuesday to brush aside 21st seed Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) and confirm his place in the US Open quarterfinals. On Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world number two served 13 aces, won 86 per cent of points behind his first delivery and was never broken across two hours and thirty minutes of play. For Darderi, who had reached the last sixteen as the highest-ranked Italian remaining in the draw, there was simply no foothold in the match.

The result extends an impressive streak: Zverev has now reached at least the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams in 2026. His opponent in the last eight will be Botic van de Zandschulp, who advanced to his second US Open quarterfinal on the same day but in vastly different circumstances — winning in five sets over French lucky loser Arthur Géa in a match that lasted five hours and thirteen minutes, the fourth-longest in the history of the US Open. Van de Zandschulp, two sets to nil down and facing match points, saved them all and came through on consecutive tiebreaks. The contrast with Zverev's clean afternoon could hardly be more striking.

Blockx makes Belgian history at Flushing Meadows

The defining story of the round belongs to Alexander Blockx. The Belgian beat 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to become the first Belgian man in the history of the US Open to reach the quarterfinals. He played through a rib injury managed with medication, saved 14 of the 17 break points he faced and produced decisive breaks at 5-5 in both the third and fourth sets when the match needed winning. Blockx had already eliminated fifth seed Flavio Cobolli in the round of 32; the back-to-back victories over seeded opponents cement his status as the tournament's most surprising threat on the men's side.

His next opponent, Karen Khachanov, required five sets to see off 14th seed Learner Tien, winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. Tien, who had been one of the most watched American players in the draw, competed for four sets before Khachanov broke him early and decisively in the fourth. The Russian veteran then held his nerve in the fifth to close it out.

Michelsen through; the all-American clash is set

Alex Michelsen reached the quarterfinals with a measured 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Tomás Martín Etcheverry. The American will face Frances Tiafoe, who beat Daniil Medvedev in the round of sixteen, in an all-American quarterfinal that carries real emotional weight at Flushing Meadows.

Zverev outhits De Minaur to reach first Shanghai semi-final since 2019

The complete men's quarterfinal picture

All eight men's quarterfinalists are confirmed. Today on Arthur Ashe Stadium: defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Ben Shelton in the headline clash of the round, followed by Tiafoe against Michelsen. Wednesday sees Zverev take on Van de Zandschulp and Khachanov face Blockx.

Alcaraz enters as the man to beat, having won here in 2025. Zverev, ranked second in the world, has reached every major quarterfinal this year and arrives in New York with his best chance in some time to add a first Grand Slam title to his career. His match with Van de Zandschulp, a player who on Monday proved he can win from anywhere, is scheduled for Wednesday.