Susanna Riva The 2026 US Open gets underway with the men's semifinals and women's final. On Friday, September 11 , at 21:00 p.m., Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov will take to the courts, followed by Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. On Saturday, the final will be played between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
Men's semifinals: Zverev and Shelton on court
Alexander Zverev, world number 2 and top seed, will face Russian Karen Khachanov, number 50 in the ATP rankings. Zverev, coming off a three-set victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, is considered the favorite. "Am I the favorite? I don't think so. I think Ben Shelton is playing very well," Zverev said at a press conference.
The second semifinal will see Ben Shelton, world number 9 and seeded eighth, face off against Frances Tiafoe, ATP number 12 and 11th in the main draw. Shelton impressed everyone with his victory over Carlos Alcaraz, world number 3, in a marathon four hours and 28 minutes.
The women's final: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face WTA No. 2 Elena Rybakina. Belarusian Sabalenka is seeking her third consecutive US Open title, while Kazakh Rybakina is dreaming of her second Grand Slam title in 2026, following her victory at the Australian Open.
Rybakina came from behind to defeat Coco Gauff, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. "It was an incredible match against Coco, very close," Rybakina said. Sabalenka, meanwhile, defeated Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 6-2.
The other results
Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori had no chance, eliminated in the quarterfinals by Chris Harrison and Neal Skupski with a score of 6-3, 6-2. The Italians are still one step away from returning to the ATP Finals in Turin.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Ben Shelton with a score of 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(8). The Spaniard suffered stomach problems and wrist pain between the fourth and fifth sets.
Ben Shelton won the 2026 US Open, defeating Frances Tiafoe in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The women's final will feature Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.