Karen Khachanov Admits Alexander Zverev’s Serving Routine ‘Annoys’ Him After US Open Semifinal Defeat

Karen Khachanov reached his career’s third Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open after receiving the walkover from Alexander Blockx. In the semifinal on Friday (September 11), he faced first seed Alexander Zverev, who, with a 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) scoreline, secured a berth in the final of this event for the second time in his career.

The win helped Zverev improve his head-to-head record over the Russian ace to 7-3. It was also the second time they played in a Grand Slam event, following the 2018 Roland Garros. At the press conference after his US Open exit, Khachanov talked about one thing about Zverev that annoys him a great deal: Sascha’s serving routine.

The way he bounces the ball- look, it annoys not only me but, of course, a lot of players, because it takes so much time. You don’t know how to prepare for the serve, you are ready, then it’s another 12 bounces. Every point is like that. At the end of the day, if it’s within the rules regarding the time, I cannot say anything against that, because it’s in the rules. If he extends the time, he gets a time violation, simple as that.

It was the first time this season that Khachanov progressed past the third round of a Major. In the previous three Majors, his run ended in the third round.

Look, I’m not the guy who would ask the umpire to look at it. I don’t like to do that. In some situations, they mention it to me! Honestly, I think averaging 12 to 15 seconds every point, so maybe after some long rallies it could happen that I’m close with the time in some other tournaments, and then players are crying or saying about that. It’s the job of the umpire to notice and be more aware, and actually take action.

Karen Khachanov added

The couple of times that Khachanov reached the last four of a Grand Slam event were at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open. The last time the 30-year-old reached a final was at the Canadian Open, losing the match to Ben Shelton. Khachanov hasn’t yet won a title since winning the Almaty Open in 2024.

Alexander Zverev will face home favorite Ben Shelton in the final

Alexander Zverev will be playing his third Grand Slam final of the season, the most he has reached in his career. After losing the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem, the 2024 French Open to Carlos Alcaraz, and the 2025 Australian Open to Jannik Sinner, the German ended his Major title drought by beating Flavio Cobolli in this year’s French Open final.

He went on to play the final of 2026 Wimbledon as well but couldn’t beat defending champion Sinner. And now, he has a chance to end the season with more Major titles this year than Sinner and Alcaraz, as the latter two won Wimbledon and the Australian Open, respectively, this season.

But to do that, he has to beat a player who sent shockwaves when he upset defending champion Alcaraz in a five-set epic quarterfinal. The player, obviously, is home favorite Ben Shelton.

For me, this whole tournament, now, at this point, has been uncharted territory. I’m in positions I’ve never been in before, beating guys that I’ve never beaten before. I’m just excited to put it all out on the line. I can think about how cool this moment is and what I’m playing for at the end of the day. 

Ben Shelton said at the press conference

Shelton clinched his first win over Alcaraz after three consecutive defeats. Against Zverev, Shelton trails 0-5 in the head-to-head matchups.

Also read: Toni Nadal Calls for a Change in Modern Tennis Equipment: “I Would Reduce the Size of the Rackets”